It was formerly in the collections of the Dutch painter Pieter Lastman and the French King Louis XVI.

[1] The canvas depicts the Four Evangelists, who in Jordaens' time where believed to be the authors of the Gospels.

They do not resemble intellectuals, but rather men who take their mission seriously, in the same way as earlier they had applied themselves to their trade.

A glimpse of sky shows in the background behind the red drapery which chiefly occupies it.

[2] It is possibly the painting mentioned in the inventory of the estate of the painter Pieter Lastman (1583-1633).