Artwork
The King drinks
The King drinks is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
About this work
Overview
The King drinks is a 17th-century Flemish Baroque painting created by Jacob Jordaens around 1640. It captures a vibrant celebratory scene centered around a monarch.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a joyful gathering where a crowned, seated king holds a goblet, surrounded by revelers raising their drinks in toast. The inclusion of a baby, dog, and birdcage adds to the scene's warmth and domesticity, suggesting a personal, intimate celebration rather than a formal state occasion.
Technique & Style
Jordaens employed a detailed, realistic style, emphasizing chiaroscuro to create depth through contrasts of light and shadow. This approach adds richness and immediacy to the lively, animated figures and the cluttered interior.
History & Provenance
Following the deaths of Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, Jordaens emerged as a leading Flemish artist. The King drinks is now part of the collection at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.
Context
As a genre scene by Jordaens, The King drinks reflects the Flemish Baroque's emphasis on everyday life and festive themes, contrasting with the artist's also prolific output in religious and mythological subjects.
Legacy
While specific lasting influences of The King drinks are not broadly documented, it contributes to Jordaens' reputation for capturing the vitality of common and celebratory life in 17th-century Flemish art.
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"
