Silenus carrying a basket of fruit, Flora and Zephyrus.

Schelte a Bolswert (1586–1659) was a leading Dutch engraver, noted for his works after the great Flemish artists of the first half of the 17th century, Rubens, Van Dyck and here, Jacob Jordaens. This engraving is evidently based on a drawing by Jordaens in Berlin but whose documentation, other than in its Hollstein catalogue record, is sparse in the extreme. It has been suggested in Zita Agota Pataki ad Birgit Ulrika Munch's edited book Jordaens: Genius of Grand Scale (New York, 2012), that considerable leeway was given to the highly skilled Bolswert, and perhaps even a role in devising the composition.

Clearly this is belongs to the full-on bacchanal tradition, initiated by Titian and continued by the 17th century masters, starring Silenus, the older and fatter companion and tutor to the wine god Dionysus of Greek mythology. Here, he is flanked by Zephyrus, who blows his horn, and the gentler, calmer, more sober and beautiful figure of Flora, who affectionately supports him.

Dr Mark Stocker   Curator, Historical International Art   October 2018