Govaert van Surpele and his wife 1639

Jacob Jordaens' 1639 portrait, "Govaert van Surpele and his wife," showcases the artist's signature dramatic style, prevalent in Flemish Baroque art. This life-size double portrait, now in the National Gallery of London, depicts the couple in a grand, yet intimate setting. Govaert, dressed in the garb of a military official, holds a staff, while his wife sits in a chair, their hands resting on the staff, symbolizing their shared strength and connection. The ornate surroundings, including a parrot in a window, hint at their wealth and social standing.