The Frans Hals Museum announced the acquisition of an early work by the Haarlem painter Jan Miense Molenaer.
The tavern scene stands out for its cheerful and human details. A young man, a teenager still, sits with his knee raised on a chair next to a fireplace holding a jug and clay pipe in his hands. Next to him are a beer barrel with smoking supplies and an extendable oil lamp. With this painting, the painter demonstrated all that he was capable of as a beginning artist. This can be seen, for example, in the moving flames, the tin beer mug and the relaxed pose of the boy.
Jan Miense Molenaer (1610-1668), A Boy Holding a Tankard and Pipe, 1627-28
Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
Molenaer probably painted it around 1627-28, when he was about 18 years old. He possibly was still working as an apprentice in the studio of Frans Hals at that time. In 1634, Molenaer became a member of the Guild of St. Luke. Two years later, he married Judith Leyster, who likely also worked with Frans Hals.
The painting is currently on display at the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem.