HANS JORDAENS III (c. 1595-1643)

The Finding of Moses. Panel. Signed in the lower left 'H. Jordaens fecit'. With panelmakersmark on the reverse 'LS' presumably Lambrecht Steens (I or II). Provenance: Christie's, Amsterdam, 15.11.2016, lot 14 Hans Jordaens III lives and works in Antwerp his entire life. He receives his education from his father Hans II Jordaens (ca. 1581-1653). A family connection to his peer, the widely known Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678) cannot be established. Hans III is an outstanding figure painter, working with renowned landscape painters such as Abraham Govaerts (1589-1626) and Joos de Momper II (1564-1632). In addition, he collaborates with other figure painters such as Frans Francken II (1581-1642) to complete complex compositions. This scene from the Old Testament, signed in the lower right corner, is an artwork of his own invention, and most likely painted solely by himself. Although the Biblical story should take place in Egypt, Hans Jordaens draws inspiration from Roman architecture for the background. For example, the building on the right-hand side appears to be inspired by the Villa dei Medici while the silhouette of the Colosseum and the Torre delle Milizie can be identified in the background. On the verso of the panel is the panel maker's mark that reads 'LS' referring to the panel maker Lambrecht Steens (I or II) who provided more panels for the painter such as the Crossing of the Red Sea, sold at Christie's, Amsterdam, 07.05.2013, lot 99. Besides Staatliche Muzeen zu Berlin (inv. 679), the Mauritshuis (inv. 435) and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg (inv. 444), the KMSKA (inv. 214) also possesses a large painting on canvas by Hans Jordaens III depicting a later scene from Mozes' life in which the Pharaoh is taken by the Red Sea. 28.8 x 39.5 cm (42 x 42.5 cm) Lit.: Voor / pour / for Lambrecht steens (I-II), cf. http://jordaensvandyck.org/article/the-antwerp-panel-makers-and-their-marks/#steens