Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678)At the age of fourteen, Jordaens, a merchant's son, was apprenticed to Adam van Noort. In 1615 he joined the guildPainters' guildGuilds were associations of people with a common aim or profession. Guilds of painters first appeared in the Netherlands in the 13th century. They were named after their patron saint: St Luke. Craftsmen had to be members of the guild to practice their trade. They were expected to adhere to certain requirements relating to quality and price, but the guilds also had funds to protect their members against hardship, economic or social. An extensive system of apprenticeship was maintained by the guilds. Only a fully-trained master could become a member of a guild. House painters and fine-art painters alike belonged to the St Luke's guild. In the 17th century, however, the artists became increasingly hostile towards the craftsmen, or 'coarse painters'. and married Van Noort's daughter a year later. In addition to large history paintings, Jordaens produced genre paintings and portraits, as well as designs for tapestries. Unlike Van Dyck and Rubens Jordaens never became a court artist. Although an upstanding citizen, he was no intellectual. He survived his rivals and became increasingly popular in the 1640s. His work for foreign (royal) patrons included paintings for the Orange room at Huis ten Bosch. Jordaens lived and worked in Antwerp his entire life. Around 1650 he became a Calvinist.ProtestantismIn the 16th century reformers demanded changes in the Church; the Christians who adhered to this movement became known as Protestants. In fact, the term refers to the protest by Martin Luther, the German theologian who demanded an end to the trade in indulgences (letters purchased from priests promising dispensation from punishments for sins) and challenged the authority of the Church. He saw the Bible as the only basis of faith. His open protest led to a break with the Catholic Church. Luther started the Reformation and his ideas influenced other reformers such as John Calvin. Jordaens was a wealthy man and remained active until late in life. He died in an epidemic in 1678, on the same night as his eldest daughter. |
