The Continent of Africa

1672 · Private collection

mythological

This late work by Jan van Kessel is related to the series depicting the Four Parts of the World (Museo del Prado, Madrid and Alte Pinakothek, Munich). Representations of the Four Parts of the World came into vogue in the Netherlands about a century before Kessel's series. The explorations of the 16th century had helped replace the old tripartite division of Europe, Asia and Africa with the concept of the Four Continents, and at the same time had served to underline Europe's superiority.

About the Artist

Jan van, I Kessel

1626 – 1679

Flemish still-life and flower painter active in Antwerp, where he became a Guild member in 1645. He continued the traditions of his grandfather, Jan "Velvet" Brueghel, and was also influenced by Daniel Seghers. Jan van Kessel painted many animals (especially insects), garlands and bouquets of flowers, as well as some mythological scenes. His choice of subject leaned towards those which included animals and plants; for example, he painted Noah's Ark. He is best known for small, jewel-like pictures, often on copper, of insects or shells against a light background, executed with strong colour and great exactitude. Good examples of his prolific output are in Oxford (Ashmolean), Cambridge (Fitzwilliam), and Madrid (Prado).

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