Who painted The Bean King?

The Bean King was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1640.

Where can I see The Bean King?

The Bean King is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is The Bean King?

The Bean King is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of The Bean King?

Museum-quality prints of The Bean King are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Bean King

Jacob Jordaens , 1640

The Bean King is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1640 by the Flemish Baroque artist Jacob Jordaens, *The Bean King* is an oil painting that captures a bustling interior scene. The composition is filled with revelers, a woman crowned with beans, and assorted details that convey the festive atmosphere of a Twelfth‑Night celebration.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a woman wearing a makeshift crown of beans, embodies the temporary title of “Bean King” bestowed during the traditional Twelfth‑Night game. Around her, guests drink, laugh, and raise glasses, while a dog rests beneath a table, underscoring the convivial, slightly chaotic spirit of the holiday ritual.

Technique & Style

Jordaens employs the rich, vigorous brushwork characteristic of Flemish Baroque, using a warm palette to illuminate the figures against dark wooden walls. The painter’s attention to texture—shiny metal cups, elaborate hats, and the soft fur of the dog—creates a tactile sense of abundance and movement within the cramped space.

History & Provenance

After the deaths of Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, Jordaens emerged as the leading painter in Flanders, and *The Bean King* reflects his mature period. The work remained in private collections for centuries before entering a public museum collection in the early twentieth century, where it has been displayed as an example of his genre scenes.

Context

Twelfth‑Night festivities, marking the end of the Christmas season, often featured a bean hidden in a cake; the finder was crowned king for the night. Jordaens, known for biblical and mythological subjects, turned to such popular customs in his genre paintings, offering a glimpse into contemporary Flemish social life and celebratory customs.