Beskrivning: Se även beskrivning i den engelska versionen

Catalogue raisonné: Description in Flemish paintings C. 1600-C. 1800 III, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, 2010, cat.no. 74: 

Technical notes: The support consists of a single
piece of coarse plain weave fabric. The painting has been
trimmed along all four edges by about 0.5–0.6 cm from
the edges of the present stretcher. Cuspings are faintly
visible along all four edges. The painting is lined. The
canvas has been prepared with a whiteish ground and a
light brownish semi-transparent imprimatura.

The paint layer has been applied relatively thinly.
Opaque layers of paint can be found in parts of the painting.
Highlights consist of small brushstrokes of impasto.
The final surface has a glazed finish. Brushstrokes are
smoothly executed. There is an opaque layer of cool
greyish underpaint. The main figures were painted into
the reserved areas left for them. The birdcage and sketch
and other details have been painted directly over the
background. This painting is in very good condition.
The painting underwent conservation treatment in 1924,
1933 and 1975.

Provenance: Bequeathed by Christina Nilsson in 1924.

Bibliography: NM Cat. 1958, p. 68; NM Cat. 1990, p.
126.

Epiphany (Matt. 2: 1–2) was celebrated in Flanders and
in other European countries on January 6. It was traditionally
an evening of merriment when family and
friends gathered to enjoy food, sing and amuse themselves
themselves.

The evening began with the installation of a
king chosen among those present. Sometimes lots were
drawn and sometimes a bean was hidden in a cake.
Whoever drew the right lot or found the bean was
given a paper crown and asked to preside over the table
and oversee the festivities. Other role personalities
were chosen to help the King such as the Queen, the
Counsellor, the Cupbearer, the Carver, the Musician,
the Jester and the Physician. In Eisen’s painting we can
distinguish the Jester in the background, who at the
same time is also playing the role of the Musician.
The theme of The King Drinks, was treated by Jacob
Jordaens several times between 1630 and 1640.1 It
gave the master an opportunity to depict his fellow
Flemish burghers at table. The scene in Eisen’s painting
is set in simpler surroundings and depicts a typical
peasant cottage.
GCB
1 See Antwerpen 1993, pp. 196–198, (see under copy). [End]

Utforska konstnärer och föremål som finns i Nationalmuseums samlingar.

Explore the artists and artworks of Nationalmuseum Sweden.

François Eisen | Kungen dricker | Nationalmuseum