王様は飲む

On Twelfth Night in 17th-century Flanders a cake was served with a single bean baked inside, and whoever found it in their slice was crowned king of the feast for the evening. Every time he lifted his glass the whole table had to roar "The king drinks!" and drink along with him. Jordaens painted this version of the custom around 1640, filling a huge canvas with life-size figures seen from just below, so the viewer sits almost at the table. The paper-crowned king raises his glass at the centre while relatives sing, a child is sick, and an old man dozes through the racket. Jordaens liked the subject enough to paint it again and again across his career, using his own family and neighbours as the revellers.