Adoration of the Magi 

Editor: Here we have Jacob Jordaens' "Adoration of the Magi," an oil painting absolutely bursting with figures! It feels very theatrical to me, almost like a stage play with all these characters vying for attention. How would you interpret the role of spectacle in a work like this? Curator: It’s a fascinating question! Jordaens, as a product of his time, painted for a society that valued display, particularly within the context of religious and civic life. What seems like theatricality to our modern eyes, can also be read as performative piety for its original audience. Consider how the inclusion of such a diverse cast of characters, even those that are clearly from different ethnic and racial backgrounds, reflects not only a biblically informed interest in reaching as wide an audience as possible, but a reflection on his role as a contemporary visualizer of popular cultural and religious imagery in Northern Europe during the Baroque era. Editor: That’s interesting. So the "spectacle" isn't just for show, but actively reinforces religious and social messages. Is this diverse representation of race unique to Jordaens or was this common for the time? Curator: Not necessarily unique to Jordaens, but something he certainly seems invested in, and an element you'll find in other baroque depictions of this moment. Keep in mind Antwerp, where he worked, was a major port city, and the artistic production of the time reflected this exposure to diverse populations. We need to consider, what did a contemporary viewer see? What socio-political structures underpinned the image? Editor: So it is worth considering the artistic work from a globalized historical and cultural view. Thank you. Curator: Absolutely! By recognizing the cultural and historical context of a work like this, we gain insight into how art participates in shaping cultural dialogues. Editor: I’ll definitely keep that in mind as I continue studying. Thank you for your perspective.