Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Jacob Jordaens died in 1678; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1748.
In context
Summer — Jacob Jordaens
The original measures 62 × 32 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Shaded: the lifetime of Jacob Jordaens (1593–1678)
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Driftwood #8c765a
Catalogued palette
About this artwork
Summer — Jacob Jordaens
This painting represents in the best way Jordaens’s mature style, treating its subject in a manner that mingles realism and naturalism, its pictorial representation deploying broad strokes, with scant interest in the rendering of physical details. A thoroughly modern touch is evident in the way the painter projects the three adult characters in three different directions, following the nature of their reactions. The narrowed eyes of the character on the left side are a result of the pitiless glare of the sun, the blouse, pulled down to reveal the breasts and the heat-struck face of the character in the foreground are signs of the stifling summer heat, while the distress in the eyes of the central character reflects the charged atmosphere, preceding the storm. The women are caught in motion, their features, as well of those of the babe in arms, reveal ancestral strength and a great capacity for endurance, in spite of their congestion and the harrowing physical effort. Their elementary strength is mirrored by the forces of nature: the billowing cloud formations in the background and the rising wind, suggested by the way one of the women holds on to her straw hat. In his painting The Summer, Jordaens succeeds admirably in juxtaposing the full glare of a torrid summer day (radiating from left) and the menacing darkening of the sky preceding the storm (to the right). The characters are caught in the most dynamic moment, in a scene of nature perfectly illustrative of human reaction to its whims. ©Dana Roxana Hrib, European Art Gallery Guidebook, Second edition, Sibiu 2011.
Artist and museum
Born in Antwerp, Belgium
Born into a prosperous Antwerp family in 1593, Jacob Jordaens emerged as one of the most significant and vibrant voices within the Flemish Baroque. Unlike many of his contemporaries who sought training in Italy, Jordaens remained rooted in his native Flanders, developing a uniquely robust and earthy style that celebrated the pleasures and realities of everyday life. His father, a successful linen merchant, provided him with a comfortable upbringing, allowing for an education befitting his social standing before he began his artistic journey under Adam van Noort – also the master of Peter Paul Rubens. This formative training instilled in Jordaens a foundation in meticulous technique and a keen understanding of composition, yet he quickly diverged to forge his own distinct path. In 1616, solidifying his connection to the established Antwerp art world, he married Van Noort’s daughter, Katharina.
Jordaens' artistic output was remarkably diverse, encompassing religious narratives, mythological scenes, allegorical compositions, genre paintings brimming with life, and even portraits. However, he is perhaps best remembered for his boisterous depictions of peasant festivals and tavern scenes – works that radiate a palpable energy and an uninhibited joy in earthly pleasures. Paintings like *The King Drinks* (also known as the Feast of the Bean King) exemplify this characteristic style: crowded compositions filled with robust figures engaged in lively revelry, rendered in warm, glowing colors and dramatic chiaroscuro. These scenes weren’t merely celebrations of merriment; they were often imbued with subtle moralizing undertones, reflecting the complex relationship between indulgence and restraint prevalent in 17th-century society. Yet, Jordaens was equally adept at handling grander, more formal commissions. His involvement in decorating the Huis ten Bosch palace near The Hague – alongside collaborations with Rubens – showcased his ability to create monumental allegorical works that seamlessly integrated painting and architecture.
While Jordaens never traveled to Italy, he was deeply influenced by Italian masters like Jacopo Bassano, Paolo Veronese, and Caravaggio—artists whose work reached Flanders through engravings and paintings brought back by other artists. The influence of Caravaggio is particularly evident in his dramatic use of light and shadow, a technique known as tenebrism, which heightens the emotional intensity of his scenes. However, Jordaens didn’t simply imitate these influences; he synthesized them with his own Flemish sensibilities, creating a style that was uniquely his own. He differed from Rubens and Van Dyck in his preference for realism over idealism, embracing a more direct and unrefined approach to depicting the human form. His figures are often substantial, even corpulent, their faces flushed with health and vitality. This commitment to naturalism, combined with his masterful command of color and composition, set him apart from his contemporaries and established him as a leading figure in Flemish Baroque painting.
Throughout his long and prolific career, Jordaens trained numerous pupils – fifteen were officially recorded by the Guild of St. Luke between 1621 and 1667— ensuring the continuation of his artistic legacy. His influence can be seen in the work of later artists like Jan Steen, who shared his penchant for depicting lively genre scenes. Beyond his direct impact on other painters, Jordaens’ classically inspired peasant themes had a lasting effect on the art world, challenging traditional hierarchies and celebrating the dignity of everyday life. Even today, his paintings continue to captivate audiences with their energy, vitality, and honest portrayal of human experience. His ability to blend realism with allegory, sensuality with morality, and grandeur with intimacy makes him one of the most compelling and enduring figures of the Baroque period. Discover more of Jordaens’ masterpieces and explore the rich artistic landscape of the Baroque era through resources available online, including detailed databases of his works and insightful analyses of his life and art.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/jacob-jordaens-summer-D49HC6-en/
Look closely
Summer — Jacob Jordaens
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