Saint John the Baptist 

Jacob Jordaens created this ‘Saint John the Baptist’ with oil paint, a common material of the era, applied to canvas. The materiality and process are crucial to understanding the image, and the social context in which it was made. In this painting, we see the standard practices of canvas production, pigments and paint mixing, stretched and primed, and the artist's skilled hand applying layers of color to create form and depth. The use of oil paint allowed for rich colors and smooth gradations, but the true artistry lies in how Jordaens manipulated the material to create a convincing illusion. The textures of skin, hair, and fabric are all rendered through careful brushwork and an understanding of light and shadow. While the subject matter is religious, the painting also speaks to the economic realities of the time. Jordaens was a successful artist who likely employed assistants in his studio, dividing labor and producing works for a paying clientele. Understanding this context helps us see the painting not just as a devotional image, but as a product of a complex system of artistic production.