Who painted Portrait of the artist with his family?

Portrait of the artist with his family was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1621-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of the artist with his family?

Portrait of the artist with his family is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Portrait of the artist with his family?

Portrait of the artist with his family is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of the artist with his family?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of the artist with his family are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of the artist with his family

Jacob Jordaens , 1621

Portrait of the artist with his family is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Their daughter, Elizabeth, holds a basket of flowers and wears a cross-shaped necklace, representing fidelity, innocence, and purity.

The painting depicts Jacob Jordaens with his wife, Catharina van Noort, and their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, framed within an elegant garden setting reminiscent of the "Garden of Love" tradition. Jordaens's relaxed pose, resting his arm on the armchair and holding a lute in his left hand, conveys cultivated leisure and aristocratic refinement, while the lute also symbolizes family harmony. A small dog at his feet signifies marital fidelity.

Catharina van Noort is seated in an armchair, adorned with a necklace featuring a pendant cross, earrings, and jewels in her hair, emphasizing her elevated social status. Their daughter, Elizabeth, holds a basket of flowers and wears a cross-shaped necklace, representing fidelity, innocence, and purity. The intertwining vine behind the couple symbolizes the steadfastness of marriage, while the fountain with Cupid represents love, aligning with contemporary Flemish allegorical traditions.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, measuring roughly 181 cm in height by 187 cm in width, and belongs to the portrait genre within the Flemish Baroque tradition. Jordaens employed the customary oil-on-canvas support of his period, applying layered glazes to achieve depth in the flesh tones and rich, saturated colors typical of Baroque aesthetics. The composition places the artist standing beside his wife, who sits in an armchair, while their daughter holds a basket of flowers; symbolic objects such as a lute and a small dog reference marital fidelity and aristocratic refinement.

The painting's formal arrangement, use of allegorical motifs, and emphasis on elite status reflect the artist's intent to present himself as a cultured member of the nobility.

History & Provenance

Jacob Jordaens completed this oil on canvas group portrait in 1621, though some accounts extend the completion date into 1622. The work depicts the artist alongside his wife, Catharina van Noort, and their eldest daughter, Elisabeth, set within an allegorical garden intended to reflect the family's elevated social status and marital harmony.

The painting entered the Spanish royal collection during the reign of Philip V, subsequently passing to Charles III and later Ferdinand VII. Today the work is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it remains on view among the museum's Flemish Baroque holdings.

Context

The work, painted in 1621, exemplifies early Baroque Flemish portraiture in which the artist presents his family as a statement of social aspiration. Jacob Jordaens depicts himself with his wife Catharina van Noort and their daughter Elisabeth, clothed in attire that signals noble status and surrounded by allegorical garden motifs that reference marital fidelity and love. Scholars note the painting's role within the broader trend of Flemish artists such as Rubens to embed personal portraiture within elite cultural symbols.

Its provenance traces through the Spanish royal collection to its present display at the Museo del Prado, underscoring its historical significance.

Overview

Jacob Jordaens's Portrait of the artist with his family is an oil painting created between 1621 and 1622. This work exemplifies the Flemish Baroque style, characteristic of the artist's early career. It serves as a personal depiction by Jordaens, showcasing his skill in portraiture and his engagement with the artistic trends of his time. The painting is currently housed in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.