Jan van Kessel (1626-1679)Painter and designer Jan van Kessel of Antwerp was the son of the painter Hieronymus van Kessel and the grandson of Jan Brueghel. In 1645 he was registered in the Antwerp St Luke's GuildGuildA guild is a society of persons united by a particular aim or occupation. Guilds were first formed in the Middle Ages. Some guilds were founded as charities, others were societies of merchants, craftsmen, artists and militias. Craftsmen would have been unable to practice their profession without being a member of the guild. Members were bound by a code of quality and price, but could also obtain assistance from the guild. An extensive apprenticeship system developed. Only a fully qualified master could become a member of the guild. Each guild had its patron saint: the patron of the painters guild was St Luke.. Van Kessel specialised in small oil paintings on copper and wood. The small painting of insects and fruit in the Rijksmuseum is also painted on copper. Jan van Kessel painted many animals (especially insects) and flowers, as well as some mythologicalClassical mythology'Mythology' comes from the Greek word 'muthos', meaning the spoken word, or story. A myth is a story about gods or deities. Mythology is all the stories combined. In theory, all cultures have their own mythology. Usually, however, the word mythology refers to the stories of classical antiquity. In these the main protagonists are the gods of Greece and Rome. and biblicalBibleThe word 'bible' comes from the Greek word 'biblos', which means book. In fact the Bible is not one, but a collection of many books. It divides into two parts, the Old and the New Testament, both comprising various groups of writings - the books of the Bible. The Old Testament contains the laws and history of the Jewish people from the Creation to pre-Roman times. The New Testament deals with Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. The accent is on his ministry, the Crucifixion and his Resurrection from death. Here too are the stories of Christ's first followers, the apostles. Christian teaching is founded on the Bible. scenes. His choice of subject leaned towards those which included animals and plants; for example, he painted Noah's Ark. |
