Artwork
A Man drinking: 'Gluttony'
A Man drinking: 'Gluttony' is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacques de l'Ange. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Man drinking: 'Gluttony' is a 1642 painting on copper by Jacques de l'Ange, a Flemish artist known for genre scenes and history paintings. The work is characteristic of the Flemish Baroque style, with its emphasis on dramatic realism and moral themes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man in a dark robe with a white collar, drinking from a cup with a stern expression. The dark background highlights his figure, creating a sense of solemnity and contemplation. The scene invites the viewer to reflect on the act of drinking and its significance, possibly as a representation of gluttony.
Technique & Style
De l'Ange employed a Caravaggesque style, marked by strong chiaroscuro, to create a dramatic effect. The contrast between light and dark emphasizes the man's figure and the act of drinking, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject.
History & Provenance
The painting was long misattributed to other Northern Caravaggists before being correctly identified in the 1990s. It is now part of the Ashmolean Museum's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques de l'Ange or the Monogrammist JAD (c. 1621 – 1650) was a Flemish painter and draughtsman known for his genre scenes and history paintings executed in a Caravaggesque style. The artist was only rediscovered in…
