Fine Art

Children Teaching a Cat to Dance, Known as The Dancing Lesson — History & Facts

These children are up to mischief: they are teaching a cat to dance to the music of a small shawm. Widely used between the 15th and 17th centuries, the shawm was the predecessor of the oboe. Mostly played in dance and ceremonial music, shawms were appreciated for their loud tone.

More Artworks by Jan Havicksz. Steen

The Feast of St Nicholas, oil painting by Jan Havicksz. Steen, depicting children receiving gifts.

The Feast of St Nicholas

Jan Havicksz. Steen

Interior of an inn with an old man, landlady, and two men playing backgammon, oil painting by Jan Havicksz. Steen

Interior of an inn with an old man amusing himself with the landlady and two men playing backgammon, known as 'Two kinds of games'

Jan Havicksz. Steen

Baker’s Couple, oil on panel by Jan Havicksz. Steen, depicting a baker's family with bread.

Baker’s Couple Arent Oostwaard and Catharina Keizerswaard

Jan Havicksz. Steen

Self-portrait by Jan Havicksz. Steen, oil on canvas, features a distinguished citizen in black attire.

Self-portrait

Jan Havicksz. Steen

Portrait of Adolf Croeser and his daughter Catharina, oil on canvas by Jan Havicksz. Steen

Adolf and Catharina Croeser, Known as ‘The Burgomaster of Delft and his Daughter’

Jan Havicksz. Steen

The Merry Family, oil painting by Jan Havicksz. Steen, depicting a joyful family singing and celebrating.

The Merry Family

Jan Havicksz. Steen

The Sick Woman, oil on canvas by Jan Havicksz. Steen, depicting a woman and a doctor in an interior.

The Sick Woman

Jan Havicksz. Steen

Genre scene of a festive gathering with drinkers, oil on panel by Jan Havicksz. Steen

Prince’s Day

Jan Havicksz. Steen

Nude woman undressing, oil on panel by Jan Havicksz. Steen

Woman at her Toilet

Jan Havicksz. Steen

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More Genre Scene Art

A group of Haarlem officers in colorful sashes gathers around a banquet table set with glassware, plates, and a large pie, with a patterned banner behind them.

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard

Frans Hals

A man in a feathered hat smiles and raises a glass while holding a woman on his lap, both dressed in elaborate 17th-century clothing with a table of objects nearby.

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son

Rembrandt van Rijn

A lively outdoor scene shows couples dancing and groups seated at tables under trees, with figures in flowing dresses and straw hats.

Bal du moulin de la Galette

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

A dancer in a vivid green dress stands with hands on hips facing forward, surrounded by figures in brown, black, and pink clothing with a balcony and loosely sketched background.

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans

A Burial at Ornans

Gustave Courbet

Two Tahitian women sit against a yellow and blue background; one wears a pale green wrap and red skirt, the other a pink dress with white trim and necklace.

When Will You Marry?

Paul Gauguin

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