Jacob Jordaens, Flemish, 1593-1678
Title: The Veneration of the Eucharist
Date: early 1630s
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
283.6 x 233.9 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1863
Object Number: NGI.46
DescriptionThe Veneration of the Eucharist is a religious allegory celebrating the Catholic conviction that during the consecration of the mass, bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. Below the Holy Spirit, appearing in the form of a dove, is a female figure who may personify the Catholic faith or the Church. Seated on a lion, a reference to the Vlaamse Leeuw (flemish lion), she holds in her hand a monstrance containing a sacred host, a symbol of the eucharist. the woman is flanked by Saints Peter, Paul, Catherine, Rosalia and Sebastian. They are identified by their symbols and dress, as are the Latin Doctors of the Church below (Saints Augustine, Jerome, Gregory and Ambrose). The Christ Child, holding a cross and a flaming heart, triumphs over death and the Devil.
Jordaens was internationally recognised as the leading painter in Antwerp, but only after the deaths of Rubens and Van Dyck in 1640 and 1641, respectively. Until then, his patrons had come mostly from the wealthy middle classes rather than the European courts. Given its large size and subject, it is likely that Jordaens painted this work as an altarpiece for a church.
March 2016
Jordaens was internationally recognised as the leading painter in Antwerp, but only after the deaths of Rubens and Van Dyck in 1640 and 1641, respectively. Until then, his patrons had come mostly from the wealthy middle classes rather than the European courts. Given its large size and subject, it is likely that Jordaens painted this work as an altarpiece for a church.
March 2016
ProvenanceDordecht, 22 August 1785, Johan van der Linden van Slingeland Sale, lot 231, bt. Fouquet; Leuven, 9 September 1824, Mallinus Sale; Brussels, 19 January 1852, Charles Spruyt Sale, lot 27; purchased, Christie's, London, 18-20 June 1863, John Allnut Sale, lot 446
Exhibition HistoryJacob Jordaens, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, 27 July - 25 October 1905
Flemish Art 1300-1700, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1953-1954
Jacob Jordaens, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, 1968-1969
Jacob Jordaens, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, 27 March - 27 June 1993
Flemish Art 1300-1700, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1953-1954
Jacob Jordaens, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, 1968-1969
Jacob Jordaens, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, 27 March - 27 June 1993
Label TextThis religious allegory celebrates the Catholic conviction that, during the consecration of the mass, bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, hovers over a female figure who may personify the Catholic Faith or the Church. Seated on a lion, a reference to the Vlaamse Leeuw (Flemish Lion), she holds a monstrance containing the Eucharist. She is ?anked by several saints. Jordaens was the leading painter in Antwerp after the deaths of Rubens and Van Dyck.