JANSSENS, Jan
Flemish painter (b. 1590, Ghent, d. after 1650, ?)
Flemish painter, active also in Italy. He became a master in the painters' guild of his native Ghent in 1621, but before that he spent considerable time in Italy, particularly Rome, where he is documented in 1619 and 1620. There he became associated with the international Caravaggesque movement and was especially influenced by the paintings of the Utrecht Caravaggisti, such as Gerrit van Honthorst and Dirck van Baburen. Immediately after his return to Ghent, Janssens introduced the style of Caravaggio there. His altarpieces and other painted compositions with mercilessly realistic representations of biblical and hagiographic themes were particularly sought after for churches in and around Ghent. In these works Janssens achieved a high emotional impact by modelling the figures and objects with a strong light from a hidden source. Typical examples are the Christ Crowned with Thorns (1627; Ghent, St Peter) and the Martyrdom of St Barbara (Ghent, St Michael). Such paintings met the demand that sprang from the Counter-Reformation for strongly emotional representations of religious themes. Janssens also occasionally worked for a public that was more international in outlook, as is demonstrated by his Caritas Romana
ID: 64260 The Annunciation 258 x 222 cm Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent Rubens was not the only influential artist in the Low Countries in the 17th century. A significant number of artists clung on to the principles of realism, while also embracing the dramatic lighting effects of Caravaggio. One among them was Jan Janssens. His Annunciation is a pure example of Caravaggism characterized by simple, sharply outlined shapes and strong, theatrical lighting effects. , Artist: JANSSENS, Jan , The Annunciation , 1601-1650 , Flemish , painting , religious
