Levade performed under the auspices of Mars and in the presence of Mercury, Venus and a squire - Jacob Jordaens

A dynamic Baroque composition by Jacob Jordaens, depicting a rider performing a levade in the presence of mythological figures.

This composition by Jacob Jordaens presents a complex allegorical scene rooted in the traditions of Flemish Baroque painting. The work depicts a rider executing a levade, a high-school equestrian movement where the horse rears on its hind legs. This display of horsemanship occurs within a classical architectural setting, framed by colonnades that provide a sense of depth and structure to the scene.

Jordaens populates the space with figures from classical mythology, including Mars, Mercury, and Venus. Their presence transforms the equestrian exercise into a symbolic event, suggesting themes of martial prowess and divine favour. The artist employs a palette of warm tones, with the red of the rider's attire and the golden drapery of the deities creating visual connections across the canvas. The muscularity of the horses and the dynamic poses of the human figures are characteristic of the artist's approach to form, which often emphasises physical weight and movement.

As a contemporary of Peter Paul Rubens, Jordaens developed a distinct style that favoured robust figures and a sense of theatricality. This painting demonstrates his ability to integrate mythological narrative with secular subjects, such as the art of riding. The interplay between the architectural background and the foreground figures creates a stage-like environment, typical of the period's interest in dramatic presentation. The inclusion of a squire and the specific arrangement of the deities suggest a commission intended to celebrate the skill and status of the rider. The work remains a clear example of the Baroque fascination with combining human achievement with the grandeur of ancient myth.