# The Bean King

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/the-bean-king-r52ee98889bd46e>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [JORDAENS, Jacob](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177>)
- Date: 1651-1700
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 243 x 373 cm

## Commentary

Jordaens painted several versions of the subject, representing a popular custom, the feast of the Bean King. The composition of this version did not remain fixed from the beginning. Over some 15 or 20 years, the pictorial surface was extended with several strips of canvas, recognisable by the seams. In this way Jordaens made room for the two couples on the left, extrapolating from the boisterous merrymaking of the central group to illustrate two specific consequences of drinking alcohol. While the helpless old man embodies the vice of lethargy, the amorous frenzy of the younger exemplifies unchastity. But it is the dog in the foreground that really encapsulates the bad end the party is to come to. In less than a moment, the cutlery and glassware from the falling basket will hit the floor with a crash and a tinkle, startling the assembled guests. &lt;P&gt; &lt;TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLPADDING=5 BORDER=1 WIDTH=320 BGCOLOR=&#34;\#99CCCC&#34;&gt; &lt;TR VALIGN=MIDDLE&gt;&lt;TD&gt;&lt;IMG SRC=&#34;/support/gif/listen.gif&#34; BORDER=0 VALIGN=MIDDLE&gt; Suggested listening \(streaming mp3, 5 minutes\):&lt;BR&gt;&lt;A HREF=&#34;\#&#34; onClick=&#34;w=window.open \(&#39;/music1/19\_cent/nicolai\_windsor\_drinking.html&#39;, &#39;newWin&#39;, &#39;scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=350,height=350&#39;\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return true&#34;&gt;&lt;B&gt;Otto Nicolai: Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor \(The Merry Wives of Windsor\), drinking song&lt;/B&gt;&lt;/A&gt; &lt;/TD&gt;&lt;/TR&gt;&lt;/TABLE&gt;

## Related artworks

- [Adoration of the Shepherds](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/adoration-of-the-shepherds-r5e266dd28694f8>)
- [Allegory of Fertility](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/allegory-of-fertility-r0c73362bcc9a3c>)
- [Allegory of Fertility](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/allegory-of-fertility-rb4c2f5ca0be743>)
- [Allegory of Fertility](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/allegory-of-fertility-rffc261afa902fd>)
- [An Apostle](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/an-apostle-r939d3475e7caf3>)
- [Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Lystra](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/apostles-paul-and-barnabas-in-lystra-r999d0c9edee032>)
- [As the Old Sang the Young Play Pipes \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/as-the-old-sang-the-young-play-pipes-detail-rb5614b1a92debc>)
- [As the Old Sang the Young Play Pipes](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/as-the-old-sang-the-young-play-pipes-rfb03c85d9db6b1>)
- [Assumption of the Virgin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/assumption-of-the-virgin-r29d1a43bee72d6>)
- [Bearded Man Stepping Down](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/bearded-man-stepping-down-r1062d3f014e04e>)
- [Christ Driving the Merchants from the Temple](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/christ-driving-the-merchants-from-the-temple-r96534ef68907ae>)
- [Cleopatra&#39;s Feast](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/jordaens-jacob-ra0a7a7c3268177/cleopatras-feast-reeea9138769ccc>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)