Portrait of an Old Man 1637

Jacob Jordaens painted this Portrait of an Old Man in oil on canvas. Look closely, and you'll see how Jordaens builds up layers of paint to capture the textures of the sitter's face, beard and clothing. The rich blacks and browns of the man's coat contrast with the bright white of his ruff, a detail that draws our eye. The folds and drapes of fabric in the painting are rendered with the impasto technique, building up texture to create depth. Oil paint allowed Jordaens to blend colors seamlessly and achieve a high level of realism. But more than that, this painting reminds us of the cultural importance of materials. The ability to afford such a portrait speaks to the sitter's status, and the artist's skill in using oil paints to create a lasting image. Ultimately, this portrait invites us to appreciate the ways in which materials and making processes contribute to an artwork's cultural and social meaning.