PRIDE AND PERSECUTION

Jan Steen’s Old Testament Scenes

Jan Steen is one of the most engaging and brilliant artists of the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age. Best known for humourous, gently moralising scenes of everyday life, he also produced some 70 remarkable paintings narrating scenes from the Bible and classical mythology and history.

This innovative exhibition puts into context the Barber’s own Steen masterpiece, The Wrath of Ahasuerus, and features important paintings, drawings and prints lent by collections in the UK, Europe and the US. It explores the emerging Dutch nation’s links and associations with the Biblical Israelites, the connections of these paintings with contemporary Dutch theatre, and the Barber painting’s fascinating history.

Here’s what our visitors said…

‘Absolutely wonderful to see the exhibition realised!’- RvG, Utrech, NL, 27/10/2017

‘Utterly fascinating- a must see!’- P.G, Alderly Edge, 27/10/2017

‘Insightful and deeply curated exhibition. Refreshes my knowledge of Old Testament stories from childhood.’- O.K, Birmingham, 27/10/2017

‘Its good to see ‘The Wrath’ in context with other items relating to it. Very interesting talk/introduction.’- M.T, Coventry, 31/10/2017

‘Wonderful exhibition…Deserves more publicity.’- M. LM, Dorridge, 10/11/2017

The exhibition is accompanied by a full illustrated catalogue, available from the Barber Institute’s gift shop.

Header image: Jan Steen, Amnon and Tamar, 1661/70 © Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne

27 October 2017 - 21 January 2018

Lady Barber Gallery

Related Events

STUDY AFTERNOON

HISTORY AND HUMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION TO JAN STEEN

Wednesday 8 November, 1.30 – 5pm

Booking essential: £10, £8 concessions; free for students

Click here for more information


LUNCHTIME LECTURE

THE PALACE OF XERXES: REAL AND IMAGINED

Wednesday 22 November, 1.10 – 2pm

Dr Lindsay Allan, Kings College London

Click here for more information


GALLERY TALK

INTRODUCTION TO PRIDE AND PERSECUTION

Tuesday 21 October, 11.30am & 1.15pm

Robert Wenley, Deputy Director & curator

Click here for more information