On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01797
- Author
- Teniers, David (Flemish)
- Title
- The Baby King
- Chronology
- 1650-1660
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 58 cm x 70 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
This work depicts the feast of
Epiphany, as can be seen by the
crown on the central figure, whose
paintings show an Adoration of the
Magi. According to Flemish folk
tradition, in this feast, the king
of the celebration is chosen by
chance, being the one who finds a
bean in his cake.
Other Flemish artists, such as
Jordaens, depicted this celebration
in the same way, reflecting its
most festive moment: the instant
when, once the king has been
chosen, all of the other guests
shout in unison, “the baby king”
—which gives this work its
name.
This work is in keeping with his
tendency to show everyday life in
his native Flanders, but Teniers
improves, here, with respect to his
earlier indoor scenes. He sets
aside the dark overall tonalities
that he drew from Brouwer's work,
in favor of more colorful and
luminous scenes. Still, he retains
the jocose and critical depiction
of popular types, the still-life
objects in the foreground, and
elements of traditional painting,
such as the people leaning in the
window.
This work was listed at Madrid's
Royal Palace in 1794.
