Jordaens

Jordaens

16 essays by a group of internationally acclaimed authors help contribute to a clearer perception of the complex facets of Jacob Jordaens' oeuvre—and moreover to distinguish it from the works of Rubens, van Dyck, and his contemporaries. The title "Genius of Grand Scale" refers to the spectrum from history to genre as well as to Jordaens' preference for large formats. The greatness of the artist Jacob Jordaens needs to be emphasized, since even though he outlived Rubens for four whole decades, he was never able to escape from under his shadow. By reference to iconographic and iconological studies, single works are identified and presented in a broad review and the long, in many aspects fragmentary reception of his artistic work also forms a large part of the interpretations presented here. Furthermore, technical examinations of paintings assist in defining more precisely how they were generated.This overdue volume presents essential reading for anyone interested in Jacob Jordaens.

Jacob Jordaens

This study explores all aspects of Jacob Jordaens's extensive activity as a designer of tapestry and his prominence in this field. It places Jordaens within the context of design for and the manufacture of tapestry during the seventeenth century in Flanders when it was considered the most important form of textile and an item of luxury. The publication includes a discussion of Jordaens's preparation for work in this field, his approach to design, his patrons and his relationship to contemporaries in the same area of artistic endeavour. The six major series designed by Jordaens - The History of Alexander the Great, The Life of Odysseus, Scenes from Country Life, The Riding School, Proverbs and the Life of Charlemagne - are thouroughly analyzed with regard to surviving visual material and written statements, the interpretation and content of the narrative scenes and the significance of the themes for the seventeenth century. A catalogue raisonne provides data on all the tapestries woven after Jordaens's designs with the preparatory works for them, including drawings, modelli and cartoons. The initial studies in watercolour are particularly illuminating about his unusual sensitivity for this type of work. The tapestry weavers and various sets they produced after his designs are also established. Jordaens was especially prolific in the area of tapestry design and it is shown that some of his most innovative and sophisticated inventions were produced for tapestry. His effort in this area was one of the most unique in Flanders and his achievement remains distinct.

Jordaens Drawings