The artwork “Three Boys Merry-making” is an oil on canvas painting by Judith Leyster, dated between 1629 and 1631. As part of the Baroque movement, Leyster’s work is a genre painting that measures 60.3 by 72 centimeters. This painting currently resides within a private collection.
Depicting a lively scene, the artwork captures three young men in a moment of jubilant celebration. The central figure is clothed in a vibrant red outfit with a prominent blue sash and a feathered cap, and he seems to be dancing, smiling widely with his head tilted back. To his right, another boy, clad in a more subdued blue-gray attire with a slouchy hat on, joyfully plays a fiddle. In the background, a third figure, holding a drinking glass, is partially occluded, though he clearly shares in the merriment. The faces of additional onlookers peer through an open window in the background, adding to the impression of a shared festive experience. The jovial mood is accentuated by the dynamic poses of the figures and the vivid brushwork, common traits of the Baroque period that emphasized movement and emotion.
