The pictures of Jan Steen usually represent merry-makings, and the
frolics and festivities of the ale-house, which he treated with a
characteristic expression of humorous drollery, that compensated for
the vulgarity of his subjects. He sometimes painted interiors, domestic
assemblies, conversations, mountebanks, etc., which he generally
accompanied with some facetious trait of wit or humor, admirably
rendered. Some of his works of this description are little inferior to
the charming productions of Gabriel Metzu. His compositions are
ingenious and interesting, his design is correct and spirited, his
coloring chaste and clear, and his pencil free and decided. He also had
a good knowledge of the chiaro-scuro, which enabled him to give his
figures a fine relief. His works are invariably finished with care and
diligence, and do not betray any haste or infirmity of hand or head. It
is evident that, from some untoward circumstance, his works were not
appreciated in his day, but after his death they rose amazingly in
value, and have continued to increase ever since,--a true test of a
master's merit--till now they are scarcely to be found except in royal
and noble collections and the public galleries of Europe. His pictures
were, for a long time, scarcely known out of Holland, but now they are
deservedly placed in the choicest collections. His works are very
numerous, sufficient to have continually occupied the life time of not
only a sober and industrious artist, but one possessing great facility
of hand. Smith, in his Catalogue raisonné, vol. iv. and Supplement,
gives a descriptive account of upwards of 300 genuine pictures by
Steen, many of them compositions of numerous figures, and almost all of
them executed with the greatest care. It cannot be believed that a man
living in a state of continued dissipation and inebriety, could find
time to produce so many admirable works, displaying, as they do, a deep
study of human nature, and a great discrimination of character, or that
the hand of a habitual drunkard could operate with such beauty and
precision. Nor is it probable that a mind besotted by drink, and debased
by low intercourse, could moralize so admirably as he has done on the
evil consequences of intemperance and the indulgence of evil passions.