Artwork

The Virgin and Child in a Cartouche decorated with Flowers

The Virgin and Child in a Cartouche decorated with Flowers, by Jacob Jordaens, oil, 1643
The Virgin and Child in a Cartouche decorated with Flowers, by Jacob Jordaens, oil, 1643

The Virgin and Child in a Cartouche decorated with Flowers is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

About this work

Overview

The Virgin and Child in a Cartouche decorated with Flowers is a c. 1643 oil painting by Jacob Jordaens, a prominent Flemish Baroque artist. The work combines religious subject matter with elaborate decorative elements, characteristic of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child within a floral cartouche, symbolizing sacred beauty. The Virgin wears a white robe and red cloak, while the Child is dressed in a blue tunic and gold loincloth, set against a dark background that emphasizes their figures.

Technique & Style

Jordaens employed chiaroscuro to create depth, drawing the viewer’s eye to the central figures. The cartouche’s ribbons, bows, and vibrant, predominantly pink, white, and red flowers, reflect the Baroque emphasis on ornamentation in sacred art.

History & Provenance

Created during Jordaens’s prolific career following the deaths of Rubens and van Dyck, the painting is now part of the Ashmolean Museum’s collection.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacob Jordaens

Artist

Jacob Jordaens

Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens (19 May 1593 – 18 October 1678) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.

Ashmolean Museum

Museum

Ashmolean Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Ashmolean Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.