Who painted Fight with Amazons?

Fight with Amazons was painted by Hans Jordaens in 1633.

Where can I see Fight with Amazons?

Fight with Amazons is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Fight with Amazons?

Fight with Amazons is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Fight with Amazons?

Museum-quality prints of Fight with Amazons are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Fight with Amazons

Hans Jordaens , 1633

Fight with Amazons is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Hans Jordaens. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Hans Jordaens’ oil on canvas, dated 1633, portrays a tumultuous melee between warriors and Amazons. The composition is dominated by a dense crowd of combatants, their bodies interlocked in a frantic struggle beneath a storm‑filled sky. The painting resides in the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is displayed among the museum’s Baroque holdings.

Subject & Meaning

The work visualizes a legendary clash between Greek heroes and the mythic Amazonian women, emphasizing the chaos of close‑quarter combat. Armored figures and lightly clad Amazons confront each other with swords, spears, and mounted cavalry, suggesting themes of cultural confrontation and the heroic ideal of martial prowess prevalent in 17th‑century mythological narratives.

Technique & Style

Jordaens employs a vigorous brushwork that captures the kinetic energy of the battle, while the use of chiaroscuro models the three‑dimensionality of bodies against the darkened sky. Contrasting light falls on the foreground combatants, highlighting musculature and weaponry, whereas deeper shadows recede into the background, creating depth and drama typical of the Baroque period.

History & Provenance

Created in 1633, the painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection during the early 20th century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s effort to assemble representative works of Dutch and Flemish Baroque painting, situating Jordaens alongside his contemporaries in the national narrative.

Context

During the early 1600s, mythological battle scenes were popular subjects for artists seeking to display technical skill and narrative complexity. Jordaens, working within the Flemish tradition, drew on classical literature and contemporary interest in heroic tales, integrating a dynamic composition that aligns with the dramatic sensibilities of the period’s visual culture.