The King Drinks (Jordaens, St Petersburg)

Jacob Jordaens - The Bean King - WGA11982

The King Drinks is a celebrated painting by the Flemish Baroque artist Jacob Jordaens. Created in the 17th century, this artwork is housed in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The painting is renowned for its vibrant depiction of a popular Flemish festival, the Feast of the Epiphany, showcasing Jordaens' mastery in illustrating festive and communal scenes with a moralistic undertone.

Description

The painting features a boisterous scene of a family gathering to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, a Christian festival held on January 6th to commemorate the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. Central to the composition is an elderly man, presumed to be the king for the day, following the tradition of the Twelfth Night celebrations where a king is chosen by means of a hidden bean in a cake. Surrounded by family members of all ages, the king is depicted in the act of drinking, with a large goblet in hand, as his subjects cheer him on. The scene is filled with laughter, music, and merriment, capturing the essence of communal joy and festivity.

Jordaens' use of vibrant colors and dynamic composition brings the scene to life, with each character contributing to the narrative of celebration and excess. The painting is also notable for its detailed depiction of the costumes and interior, providing insight into 17th-century Flemish domestic life.

Themes and Interpretation

The theme of "The King Drinks" revolves around the celebration of the Epiphany and the tradition of choosing a king for the day. However, Jordaens' work goes beyond mere depiction of a festive event; it is imbued with moralistic messages common to the era. The painting serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess and the moral degradation that can accompany unchecked revelry. This is in line with the Calvinist morals prevalent in Flanders during Jordaens' time, despite the artist's own religious leanings.

Jordaens' ability to weave complex moral narratives into vibrant scenes of everyday life is a hallmark of his work, making "The King Drinks" a quintessential example of his artistic philosophy.

Provenance and Legacy

"The King Drinks" by Jacob Jordaens has been part of the collection at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg for many years, contributing to the museum's reputation as a home to one of the world's most significant collections of Flemish Baroque art. The painting's journey from Jordaens' studio to the Hermitage is a testament to its enduring appeal and the high regard in which Jordaens' work has been held across centuries.

Jordaens, along with Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, forms the triumvirate of great Flemish Baroque painters. His works, particularly "The King Drinks," have had a lasting impact on the genre of genre painting, influencing subsequent generations of artists in the depiction of festive and communal scenes.

See Also

• Flemish Baroque painting
• Hermitage Museum
• Jacob Jordaens
• Feast of the Epiphany
• Genre painting