The artwork titled “Idlers,” created by Jan Steen in 1660, is an oil painting on canvas. Measuring 30 x 39 cm, this piece is situated within the Baroque art movement and falls under the genre painting category. It is currently housed in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
“Idlers” depicts a cozy, domestic scene characterized by a sense of everyday life. In the artwork, a woman is seen sleeping with her head resting on a table, while a man seated beside her, clad in a red hat, seems engaged in leisure with a long pipe and a drink. Objects such as pots, a candle, and utensils are scattered throughout the room, providing a glimpse into the casual yet cluttered ambiance. The painting’s overall tone is one of relaxed idleness, capturing a snapshot of mundanity in a subtly humorous and characteristically detailed manner typical of Jan Steen’s genre scenes.
