Street Musicians at the Door, 1665, in the collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum
Merry company
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Merry company is the term in art history for a painting, usually from the 17th century, showing a small group of people enjoying themselves, usually seated with drinks, and often music-making. These s
Willem Pietersz. Buytewech, Merry Company, c. 1620, apart from the maid an all-male group
Dirck Hals, Merry Company at Table, 1627–1629
Prostitution is clearly indicated in this scene by Gerard van Honthorst of 1623, complete with aged procuress, low cleavage, and a feathered headdress on the second girl.
Abraham van den Hecken, A Merry Company in a Tavern, 1640s