A Satyr was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1637-01-01.

Where can I see A Satyr?

A Satyr is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is A Satyr?

A Satyr is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of A Satyr?

Museum-quality prints of A Satyr are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Satyr

Jacob Jordaens , 1637

A Satyr is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Jacob Jordaens's 1637 oil painting depicts a satyr, a mythological figure from classical antiquity often characterized by a combination of human and goat-like features. As a work of mythological genre, the image centers on this specific creature, drawing from the rich tradition of ancient stories involving followers of Dionysus. The painting's focus on the satyr places it within the broader context of Baroque interest in classical themes, using the figure to explore narratives rooted in folklore and ancient religion.

Created in Antwerp, the work utilizes the visual language of mythology to represent this hybrid being, though the specific narrative action or symbolic meaning beyond the identification of the subject is not detailed in the available records.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1637 within Antwerp, this mythological painting by Jacob Jordaens utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support.

Executed in 1637 within Antwerp, this mythological painting by Jacob Jordaens utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 135 cm in height and 176 cm in width. As a depiction of a satyr, the piece exemplifies the artist's engagement with classical subjects through the medium of oil on canvas, a standard practice for large-scale genre and mythological works produced in the region during this period.

History & Provenance

The painting A Satyr by Jacob Jordaens is dated to 1637, a date corroborated by both the internal catalog entry and the museum’s record.

It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains held. The work’s provenance prior to its acquisition by the museum is not specified in the available sources.

Overview

Jacob Jordaens’ oil painting A Satyr, executed in 1637, presents a solitary satyr seated on a rock and playing a wooden flute. The figure is surrounded by three goats of differing coloration and a leafy, vine‑laden backdrop under a pale sky. The composition balances the mythic subject with a tranquil, pastoral atmosphere, and the work belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Context

Jordaens was prolific in biblical, allegorical, and genre scenes, and this mythological piece fits within his broader interest in classical subjects. The painting reflects the 17th‑century Flemish taste for integrating mythic figures into everyday settings, a trend that allowed artists to explore human emotions through familiar, yet fantastical, characters.