A Pig Belongs in the Sty c. 1673 - 1675

Jan Steen’s genre painting, “A Pig Belongs in the Sty”, was likely created using oil paints during the Dutch Golden Age. Looking at the barrel in the foreground, Steen's application of paint mimics the qualities of the wood, the material presence and the weight of the object, making it almost palpable. The making of barrels - a craft known as coopering - would have been a common sight in the Netherlands at this time. The barrel, with its clear associations with the consumption of alcohol, is a symbol for human frailty and folly, which is the overarching theme of the painting. Steen suggests a world where things are in disarray, perhaps commenting on the social and moral fabric of society. The barrel becomes a potent symbol of human indulgence, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between materials, making, and social context.