Artwork
Self-Portrait with Parents, Brothers and Sisters
Self-Portrait with Parents, Brothers and Sisters is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1615, this oil painting by Flemish artist Jacob Jordaens portrays the painter alongside his mother, father and siblings. The family is gathered in a single space, the adults clothed in dark, sumptuous garments while the children wear simpler attire. Above the group, winged angels hover, bearing a cross and a crown, lending a subtle religious overtone to the domestic scene.
Subject & Meaning
The varied gazes—some directed upward, others downward—convey a contemplative atmosphere, hinting at humility and reverence within the family unit.
The work functions as both a personal record and a symbolic statement. By placing himself among his relatives, Jordaens emphasizes familial bonds and lineage, while the inclusion of celestial figures suggests divine favor or protection over the household. The varied gazes—some directed upward, others downward—convey a contemplative atmosphere, hinting at humility and reverence within the family unit.
Technique & Style
Jordaens employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to model the faces and bring them forward against a darker background. The contrast between the illuminated skin tones and the somber clothing creates a three‑dimensional effect. Brushwork is smooth in the flesh areas, while the fabrics are rendered with finer detail, highlighting the texture of the rich garments.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg in the early 20th century, becoming one of four Jordaens works held there, alongside Group Portrait, The Apostles Paul and Barnabas at Lystra (c. 1618) and The Banquet of Cleopatra. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in Flemish Baroque art and in works that combine portraiture with narrative elements.
Context
Executed during Jordaens’s early career, the piece reflects the broader Flemish Baroque interest in combining genre scenes with religious symbolism. The inclusion of angels aligns with contemporary practices of embedding moral or spiritual messages within family portraits, a trend also seen in the works of his contemporaries such as Rubens and Van Dyck.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens (19 May 1593 – 18 October 1678) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.
The Holy Family with Shepherds
The Holy Family with Saint Anne and the Young Baptist and His Parents
Untitled
Apollo as Victor over Pan
Susanna and the Elders
The Betrayal of Christ
Portrait of the artist with his family
The Tribute Money. Peter Finding the Silver Coin in the Mouth of the Fish. Also called "The Ferry Boat to Antwerp"
