Artwork
Ansichten aus den vier Weltteilen mit Szenen von Tieren. Iudia in Siam
Ansichten aus den vier Weltteilen mit Szenen von Tieren. Iudia in Siam is an unspecified painting by Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder. It dates from 1682 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1682 by Flemish Baroque painter Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder, this oil work belongs to the collection of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. The canvas presents a series of vignettes that together illustrate landscapes and animal life from four different continents, one of which is identified as Siam, the historic name for present‑day Thailand.
Subject & Meaning
The composition functions as a visual survey of the world’s diversity, juxtaposing exotic fauna and regional scenery. By placing a Siamese scene alongside depictions of other continents, the artist emphasizes the breadth of nature’s variety and reflects contemporary European curiosity about distant lands and their wildlife.
Technique & Style
Van Kessel employs the rich coloration and dynamic composition typical of the Baroque period, combining detailed naturalistic rendering of animals—particularly his characteristic monkeys—with broader landscape elements. The brushwork balances fine, precise modeling of fauna against more atmospheric treatment of distant terrain, creating a layered sense of depth.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings as part of its extensive Baroque collection, though the exact acquisition path is not recorded in public sources. Its presence in the museum underscores the institution’s focus on representing the breadth of 17th‑century Flemish art and its engagement with global themes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder
Ferdinand van Kessel (1648 – 1696), was a Flemish Baroque painter known for his landscapes, still lifes and genre pieces with monkeys.
