Oil on wood. 11.6 x 9 inches (29.5 x 22.8 cm). Painting in predominantly beige-brown and reddish colors, signed "J Molenaer" bottom left. In a decorative gilded frame. Inside an inn, a man is seated, singing and playing the violin, next to him a woman is seated, accompanying him with her singing. To her right, behind a wooden barrel, a man is asleep with his head bowed, while in the background on the left the proprietress looks at the musicians with interest, holding a tall, full glass. Occasional retouching, else fine. 

Jan Miense Molenaer was born in Haarlem and lived there or in nearby Heemstede. In 1634 he was listed as member of the Guild of St. Luke in Haarlem and married the painter Judith Leyster (1600/10 - 1660) in 1636. Both Molenaer and Leyster may have been pupils of Frans Hals and were certainly influenced by both his style and subject matter. Dirck Hals’ influence was also very important for him, for it inspired Molenaer to paint merry company scenes, such as the present example.  Molenaer went to Amsterdam in 1648 and worked with Jan Lievens (1607-1674).