_Jan Miense Molenaer_ (Dutch: died 1668).
This painter, the best of three artists of the same name,
"excelled in representing peasant interiors and scenes of
rustic life in a quiet style and in skilfully graduated tints.
His colouring is warm and clear; his drawing spirited, and
his touch full of life. Besides this, he possessed a certain
refinement, and his humour never overstepped the bounds of
decency. While his works retain characteristics peculiar to
him, they manifest also something of the styles of Steen,
Brauwer, and Ostade" (Havard: _The Dutch School_, p. 159). He
was a native of Haarlem, and afterwards settled in Amsterdam.
His earlier works (such as the present picture) suggest the
tutelage of Frans Hals; the later works show the influence of
Rembrandt.
This picture (which is signed on the side of the foot-warmer) is a
capital example of the artist. "The fair faces of the singers are very
spontaneously expressive of their gaiety, and have something of the
animation of Jan Steen without his vulgar types and occasional grimace."