VICTORS, Jan
(b. 1619, Amsterdam, d. 1676, East Indies)

Jacob Despairing over Joseph's Robes

1649
Oil on canvas, 97 x 113 cm
Muzeum £azienki Królewskie, Warsaw

Religious paintings constitute a significant part of Victors oeuvre. The artist only painted scenes from the Old Testament, which distinguishes him from the contemporary Dutch painters who, although as Protestants, more often undertook the Old Testament theme, but did not give up completely from the Christological themes. The painter was more interested in the didactic pronunciation of the work than its artistic value; he calls to mind Pieter Lastman, who, apart from Rembrandt and Govert Flinck, had perhaps the greatest influence on his art.