Jan Janssens

[4] Janssens altarpieces and other compositions offering very realistic representations of religious motifs adorn many churches in and around Ghent.

In 1640, he was commissioned by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Radiën to make a work for the Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent.

The painting was delivered four years later but was not executed by Janssens, but by Nicolas de Liemaker.

[6] His chief subject matter are biblical and, to a lesser extent, mythological themes painted in a large format.

He also returned various times to the theme of the Caritas Romana, even making one version (1620-1625, Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando[9]) based very closely on a work by Dirck van Baburen on the same theme.

[10] In this work he also made an effort to depict the materials such as the weapons and armour, beards, fabrics, fur and drums in a very realistic manner.

[7] Janssens' work conforms to the prescriptions of the Counter Reformation and the Baroque through its merciless and sober realism and dramatic effects with hidden light that shines on his figures.