Jan Miense Molenaer (Haarlem, c. 1610-1668)

Dating to the mid-1640s, this is a fine example of the tavern interior scenes that Molenaer produced in the mature period of his career. The woman seated on the table holds a pair of tongs, the type used to hold hot coals in winter, and may have an allegorical meaning that is not yet clear. The same figure is repeated in a similar panel, recorded as being on the art market in New York prior to 2002 (see D.P. Weller (ed.), Jan Miense Molenaer. Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, North Carolina, 2002, p. 164, fig. 2).