Why it matters
A Dutch family celebrates the Feast of Saint Nicholas on the evening of 5 December: a little girl carries the treats Saint Nicholas left in her shoe, while her brother sobs over his empty one. The chaotic household is typical of Jan Steen.
Did you know?
- It was painted around 1665–1668.
- It measures 82 × 70.5 cm.
- Such domestic scenes grew popular as the Dutch merchant middle class became art patrons.
Based on the Wikipedia article The Feast of Saint Nicholas (CC BY-SA 4.0).
