Bathsheba After The Bath By Jan Steen: Painting Analysis

The work that I am analyzing is Bathsheba After the Bath by Jan Steen (1626-1679). I believe the meaning of the painting shows exactly what women had to endure to be presented to a man of high royalty and had no rights in the matter to reject his advances. The gloomy colors in the painting correlates with the emotion that Bathsheba expresses. Examining the painting I found interesting props surrounding Bathsheba and the maidservants. The painting tells the story of how King David sent for Bathsheba.
The meaning I received illustrated in Bathsheba After the Bath was another example of how women have been oppressed since the beginning of time. That women had to conform to the standards of beauty men placed on them. Especially men of high caliber she had no choice to but to be groomed how he saw fit. The painting depicts Bathsheba’s beautiful golden locks neatly styled into a bun, her porcelain skin with rose cheeks, while dressed in a blue and white silk gown with tan slippers. I imagine if she would have rejected King David he might have her beheaded.
The gloomy colors in the painting correlates with the emotion expressed on …show more content…
In the eyes of a man of high royalty. This piece speaks to me because even since the bible days’ things have not changed. Women are pushing their bodies to the limit to please men. By doing crash diets, harmful surgeries, and many more unnecessary things. The colors correlates with the sadness in her eyes you can see the pain and hopelessness. The dark branches and gloomy background draws me in to truly understand the pain that is express. That I believe the artist was trying to show while using her bare breast to use as a lure to draw the audience in. I believe women should love themselves and do what is right for their health and not conform to the beauty standards of this