The Four Fathers of the Latin Church 

Jacob Jordaens painted “The Four Fathers of the Latin Church”, but the date of completion is unknown. It is a representation of power, knowledge, and religious authority during a period of religious and political conflict in Europe. The painting depicts Saint Augustine, Saint Jerome, Saint Ambrose, and Pope Gregory I, major figures in the early history of the Christian Church, adorned in elaborate robes and surrounded by religious symbols, thus underscoring their high status and influence. The presence of cherubic figures enhances the divine and idealized portrayal of these men. Jordaens was working in a time of religious division and the rise of the Baroque style. By painting these 'fathers' with such reverence, he reinforces the Catholic Church's traditions and power. Though such figures held immense authority, it’s important to ask whose voices and perspectives were excluded. How did these figures shape the social norms of their time and beyond? It's a complex interplay of faith, power, and historical context.