Jan Janssens

The Crowning with Thorns, after 1647

Jan Janssens (also Johannes Janssens and Joannes Janssens[1]) (August 1590, Ghent – after 1650) was a Flemish Baroque painter and draftsman who is considered to be the most important of the so-called Ghent Caravaggisti.[2] His altarpieces and other compositions offering very realistic representations of religious motifs adorn many churches in and around Ghent.[3]

Life

There is no information available about Jan Janssens’ training. He was in Rome in the period 1619-1620. Janssens returned to Ghent in 1621 and was admitted to the Ghent Guild of St. Luke as a master. From 1634-1635 and in 1646 Janssens was dean of the Ghent Guild of St. Luke.[4] On 29 August 1623, he married Petronilla de Rop with whom he had 6 children.[4]

Works

Caritas Romana, 1620-25

During his stay in Italy Janssens came into contact with Dutch painters like Dirck Van Baburen, Gerard van Honthorst and Hendrick ter Brugghen. These Dutch artists were followers of the style of Caravaggio and are known as the Dutch or Utrecht Caravaggisti, after their main centre in Utrecht, where there was still a sizeable and prosperous Catholic population. Their work influenced him stylistically.[5] He was also influenced by the work of Bartolomeo Manfredi. Janssens took the Caravaggio style back with him to Ghent, where he mainly received commissions for altarpieces.[4]

His chief subject matter are biblical and, to a lesser extent, mythological themes painted in a large format.[1] His favourite themes are Christ crowned with thorns and the mockery of Christ. Janssens's work conforms to the prescriptions of the Counter Reformation and the Baroque through its merciless and sober realism and dramatic effects with hidden light that shines on his figures.[4] The paintings were intended to have a strong emotional impact on the viewer.

One of his masterpieces is The Martyrdom of Saint Barbara (which in fact deals with Saint Agatha), which is kept in the Saint Michael's Church, Ghent.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Jan Janssens on the RKD
  2. ↑ Jan Janssens on the website of the Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent
  3. ↑ Hans Vlieghe. "Janssens, Jan." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Web. 23 Dec. 2015
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Jan Janssens on vlaamsekunstcollectie.be
  5. ↑ Jan Janssens on the website of the Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent

Further reading

External links

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