Jan Steen is without question the most entertaining painter of the 17th century. He loved everyday life, the fun of the tavern, weddings and parties; he loved the celebrations on St Nicholas's Day and Twelfth Night. And he painted them all with a comic twist. But the elusive Jan Steen was not just a jokesmith, he was a man who knew about art and drama, who was well versed in classical mythology and the Bible. And he was an outstanding painter, with an individual technique and fascinating working methods.

The oeuvre and a masterpiece

Prince's Day

In search of his own style: Leiden, The Hague, Delft

A fresh start: Leiden, Warmond, Haarlem

Back in Leiden

Around Steen: friends and clients

Self-image

What does Jan Steen have to say?

How do you tell a story?

Open and hidden meanings

Jan Steen at work

The virtual sketchbook

Intellectual baggage

The mirror of the great masters

An oeuvre too large for one artist?

His deserved praise

Jan Steen now

Acknowledgements