Jan Steen 400
Exactly 400 years ago, Jan Steen was born in Leiden, a contemporary of Rembrandt and other great masters from Leiden. Jan Steen's works are world-famous for his humor and ironic view of everyday life. In this anniversary year, visit a special exhibition at Museum De Lakenhal, walk the new route 'Jan Steen, Then and Now', discover his grave in the Pieterskerk, or take a surprising themed walk through Warmond. Discover all the activities!
Museum De Lakenhal celebrates 400 years of Jan Steen
Visit the exhibition 'At Home with Jan Steen – 400 Years of Merrymaking' at Museum De Lakenhal in Leiden from April 2 to August 23.
Step into the personal life of one of the most important Dutch painters of the seventeenth century. Discover how his children, wives, friends, and the pub not only shaped his surroundings but also served as his greatest source of inspiration.
With masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, and the museum's own collection, among others, you will embark on a journey of discovery through Steen's world full of humor, chaos, and hidden messages.
Exhibition Jan Steen
The grave of Steen
As a native of Leiden, Jan Steen also lived near the Pieterskerk during the final years of his life. After his death in 1679, he was interred in the family tomb near the choir.
In the anniversary year, you can see a presentation at the tombstone of Jan Steen and his family in the choir ambulatory. This is one of the most important places in the Netherlands where Jan Steen is remembered. The Pieterskerk is one of the oldest and largest monuments in Leiden.
Visit the Pieterskerk
Jan Steen Route
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Discover the new Jan Steen 'Then and Now' themed walking tour in Leiden. Which places in Leiden can you see depicted in his paintings, where did he frequent, and what traces of that can still be seen today?
Available from late April 2026.
New! Jan Steen Experience in Warmond
From early April, the Jan Steen Experience opens at VVV Warmond. Experience the painter's life through the eyes of his housekeeper in 6 minutes. A spectacular video projection!
Tip: Also visit the Young Rembrandt 3D Experience in Leiden. Rembrandt and Steen were both born in Leiden and were contemporaries.
Van Goyen Jeneverhuis
Jan van Goyen, a famous painter himself, was the father-in-law and teacher of Jan Steen. Jan van Goyen's house still stands in Leiden. The gable stone in the wall commemorates Van Goyen's birth in this house on January 13, 1596.
Leiden's oldest pub is now located here, featuring over 80 different gins. A drink that was already being consumed in Jan Steen's time. Taste the atmosphere of the past, literally and figuratively.
Van Goyen Jeneverhuis
The Saint Lucas gilde en Ars Leiden
From the 16th century onwards, Leiden became a true city of culture. More and more painters born in Leiden grew up here to become grand masters. The most famous was, of course, Rembrandt. With the oldest university in the Netherlands, this is no coincidence. The freedom to experiment, as well as economic growth, created ideal conditions.
Leiden painters such as Jan van Goyen, Gerrit Dou, Rembrandt, and Jan Steen joined the Leiden branch of the St. Lucas Guild. All kinds of artists could become members of the guild, which ensured quality control and the training of young talent. Jan Steen was headman of this guild for several years.
The Leiden Drawing Academy (1694) and Ars Aemula Naturae (1799) emerged from the guild. Ars is still active today, at Pieterskerkgracht 9a in Leiden.
Gekroonde Liefdepoort
Above the entrance to the Gekroonde Liefdepoort hangs a memorial stone for Jan Steen, who lived and worked here for a long time. Through the gate's entrance on the Langebrug, you walk to a courtyard. Did you know that Leiden has no fewer than 35 historic courtyards?
Unfortunately, you can no longer visit Jan Steen's house, but to the right of this gate, you will still find the Young Rembrandt Studio. A 3D experience in the building where Rembrandt actually received his first painting lessons from Jacob van Swanenburg.
Visit the Young Rembrandt Studio
Did you know this about Jan Steen?
Jan Steen was born in 1626 in Leiden.
Jan Steen lived in Warmond, a small village next to Leiden, from 1658 to 1660. Here he created several works, including "The Poultry Yard".
Jan van Goyen, a famous painter himself, was the teacher and father-in-law of Jan Steen. He was also born in Leiden.
Yes, Rembrandt van Rijn and Jan Steen were both born in Leiden and lived here around the same time. Here they grew into great painters, partly due to the freedom of experimentation in this city and the economic progress created by the oldest university in the Netherlands.
In the Pieterskerk in Leiden. You can visit his family grave, and in 2026 you will also see a special presentation here.
Jan Steen became world-famous for his humorous view of life. Unlike his contemporaries, he primarily captured everyday life, in its purest form.
That is likely the Feast of Saint Nicholas, created between 1665 and 1668. In this painting, Jan Steen depicted all the elements of the folk festival, a celebration in a domestic setting. During the Jan Steen 400th anniversary year, this painting is temporarily on display at Museum De Lakenhal, on view from April 2 to August 23, 2026, in Leiden.
Contrary to what many believe, this is not a painting by Jan Steen. It is used as an expression for a chaotic but often cheerful and lively household, where everyone goes their own way and there is little order. Jan Steen created many paintings in which this type of household was depicted realistically, such as 'The Merry Family'.
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Young Rembrandt in Leiden
Young Rembrandt in Leiden
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