The Bean King (The King Drinks) 1638

Jacob Jordaens, a Flemish Baroque painter, created "The Bean King" in the 17th century, an era defined by stark social stratification. The painting vividly captures a boisterous celebration of the Feast of the Bean, a tradition where the finding of a bean in a cake designates a 'king' for the day. Jordaens, deeply rooted in his community, portrays a scene of collective joy, blurring the lines between the wealthy and the working class in a moment of shared festivity. Look closely, and you'll see Jordaens’s class consciousness, a quality deeply embedded in his work, that presents a levelling of social status through communal celebration. The 'king' is celebrated through the act of drinking, with the toast "The king drinks!" – an action that brings everyone in the room to a single level. This piece not only documents a cultural tradition but also provides a glimpse into the social dynamics of 17th-century Flanders, reminding us of the unifying power of celebration.