RICHARD BRAKENBURGH Haarlem 1650 - 1702 The Feast of St Nicholas 1685 Photo is taken by: @robertpuffjr This 17th-century scene represents a wealthy family celebrating the typically Dutch feast of St Nicholas. Neither St Nicholas nor his helper 'Pete' are depicted, which was common practice in the 17th century: the holy man stayed out of sight at the time and 'Pete' was not introduced until the 19th century. For this painting Brakenburg took inspiration from his predecessor Jan Steen. Note the little boy on the left, crying because, instead of presents, he has been given the 'roe' (birch rod) in his shoe, for bad behaviour. In the centre we see a woman teasingly waving the boy's shoe at him. On the right another boy is playing happily on his new drum. (This writeup is taken from the description at the museum.) Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, the Netherlands #richard #brakenburgh #richardbrakenburgh #historyofart #artistry #greatworksofart #artmuseum #art #artist #masterpiece #painting #museumvisit #artlover #artists #artblogger (at Frans Hals Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiGxR29rXjh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=