Diana and Actaeon 1640

Jacob Jordaens painted "Diana and Actaeon" on canvas, likely in Antwerp where he was born, sometime in the 17th century. The artwork depicts a scene from classical mythology. Here we have the chaste goddess Diana, surprised while bathing by the hunter Actaeon. His intrusion leads to a brutal punishment; she transforms him into a stag and he is killed by his own hounds. Jordaens uses rich colors, dynamic compositions, and sensual nudes. But look closer, and we see the influence of the baroque movement. This was a time of growing social and political complexity in the Netherlands, with both conservative and progressive ideas circulating widely. Jordaens was from a wealthy family, and his paintings often present traditional moral lessons which may reflect his social background. The visual elements and the ways the artwork uses classical themes can tell us a lot about the artist and the cultural background. Historians can learn more about art by researching the artist, as well as the social and institutional contexts in which they were working.