Hiob plagued by demons 

Jacob Jordaens created this ink and wash drawing called "Hiob plagued by demons". This piece presents the biblical figure of Job beset by trials. What does it tell us about the culture in which it was made? It was created in the 17th century in Flanders, now part of Belgium, during the Counter-Reformation. The Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority through art. Artists turned to dramatic, emotional scenes from the Bible. Jordaens uses dynamic lines to convey Job's suffering. Note how the demons, rendered as grotesque figures, visually embody the torments inflicted upon him. The composition invites viewers to contemplate faith, suffering, and divine justice. To truly understand this work, scholars delve into religious texts, theological debates, and the patronage system of the time. The meaning of art lies not just in the image itself but in its historical, social, and institutional context.