Special thanks to the Microsoft Corporation for permission to use following biographical information from Microsoft® Encarta '97:
Jacob Jordaens was a Flemish baroque painter, born in Antwerp (now in Belgium). About 1615 Jordaens was admitted to the Antwerp art guild. By 1621 he had his own workshop and was head of the guild. His talent attracted the attention of the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens, who employed him as an assistant. Jordaens was clearly influenced by Rubens, and although his style was not as refined as that of Rubens, he is nevertheless considered one of the leaders of northern baroque art. Aided by his students, Jordaens painted large decorative works, especially subjects of revelry, grand banquets, and vivacious genre scenes. His color is brilliant and sensuous, emphasized by luminous whites and deep reddish tones. Jordaens became famous and was overwhelmed with commissions, the most important coming after the death of Rubens in 1640.
