Fine Art Poster
From $29
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
The Continent of Africa - Jan van Kessel the Elder
Regular price
$29.00 USD
Sale price
$29.00 USD
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
This oil on copper panel by Jan van Kessel the Elder, 'The Continent of Africa', presents an allegorical view of Africa, framed by smaller panels depicting various African locations and wildlife.
Jan van Kessel the Elder, a Flemish artist born in Antwerp, was known for his small-scale, detailed paintings of subjects ranging from insects and flowers to allegorical scenes. This painting, titled 'The Continent of Africa', is an oil on copper panel depicting an allegorical representation of Africa. The central scene shows a dark-skinned woman, presumably representing Africa, seated on a throne with a lion at her side. She is surrounded by children and various objects, possibly symbolising the continent's resources and people. The backdrop features classical architecture and a glimpse into a landscape. Framing this central scene are smaller panels, each depicting different locations or aspects of Africa. These panels include scenes of animals, landscapes, and coastal views, each labelled with place names such as 'Seenhala', 'Tripoly', and 'Le Caps Aucune'. The detailed execution and the use of copper as a support are characteristic of van Kessel's style, which often combined scientific observation with artistic skill. The painting provides a glimpse into the 17th-century European perception and understanding of the African continent.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Complete The Look
The Continent of Africa - Jan van Kessel the Elder
Regular price
From $29.00 USD
Sale price
From $29.00 USD
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Jan Van Kessel The Elder
Van Kessel had thirteen children and numerous debts. He was captain of the Civic Guard in Antwerp, a productive artist with royal clients, and still died owing money. The combination of civic standing and insolvency was not unusual for seventeenth-century Flemish painters, but the scale of his family made it harder to manage.
He was born in Antwerp in 1626, the grandson of Jan Brueghel the Elder through his mother Paschasia. He studied under Simon de Vos and later received instruction from his uncle and godfather Jan Brueghel the Younger. He became a master in the Guild of Saint Luke in 1644 as a flower painter, though flowers were only one of his subjects. He painted garlands, bouquets, marines, river landscapes, paradise scenes, allegories and genre subjects, but he is best known for tiny, jewel-like paintings of insects and shells on copper, depicted against light backgrounds with scientific exactitude.
He worked from nature and from illustrated scientific texts, blending direct observation with published sources. His small insect panels were sometimes produced in pairs or as series designed to decorate the fronts of cabinet drawers where collectors stored actual specimens. The paintings served as both art and catalogue.
He used two different signatures depending on the size of the painting: a cursive, decorative version for larger formats and a more compact form for miniatures. The practice was later misinterpreted as evidence that two different painters were at work. He spent time in Spain as court painter to Philip IV and as a captain in the King's army, probably in the late 1640s. He married Maria van Apshoven in 1647; of their thirteen children, Ferdinand and Jan the Younger also became painters. He died in Antwerp in 1679.
He was born in Antwerp in 1626, the grandson of Jan Brueghel the Elder through his mother Paschasia. He studied under Simon de Vos and later received instruction from his uncle and godfather Jan Brueghel the Younger. He became a master in the Guild of Saint Luke in 1644 as a flower painter, though flowers were only one of his subjects. He painted garlands, bouquets, marines, river landscapes, paradise scenes, allegories and genre subjects, but he is best known for tiny, jewel-like paintings of insects and shells on copper, depicted against light backgrounds with scientific exactitude.
He worked from nature and from illustrated scientific texts, blending direct observation with published sources. His small insect panels were sometimes produced in pairs or as series designed to decorate the fronts of cabinet drawers where collectors stored actual specimens. The paintings served as both art and catalogue.
He used two different signatures depending on the size of the painting: a cursive, decorative version for larger formats and a more compact form for miniatures. The practice was later misinterpreted as evidence that two different painters were at work. He spent time in Spain as court painter to Philip IV and as a captain in the King's army, probably in the late 1640s. He married Maria van Apshoven in 1647; of their thirteen children, Ferdinand and Jan the Younger also became painters. He died in Antwerp in 1679.
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
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Fine Art Framed
From $89
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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Artist Biography
Jan van Kessel the Elder
Van Kessel had thirteen children and numerous debts. He was captain of the Civic Guard in Antwerp, a productive artist with royal clients, and still died owing money. The combination of civic standing and insolvency was not unusual for seventeenth-century Flemish painters, but the scale of his family made it harder to manage.
He was born in Antwerp in 1626, the grandson of Jan Brueghel the Elder through his mother Paschasia. He studied under Simon de Vos and later received instruction from his uncle and godfather Jan Brueghel the Younger. He became a master in the Guild of Saint Luke in 1644 as a flower painter, though flowers were only one of his subjects. He painted garlands, bouquets, marines, river landscapes, paradise scenes, allegories and genre subjects, but he is best known for tiny, jewel-like paintings of insects and shells on copper, depicted against light backgrounds with scientific exactitude.
He worked from nature and from illustrated scientific texts, blending direct observation with published sources. His small insect panels were sometimes produced in pairs or as series designed to decorate the fronts of cabinet drawers where collectors stored actual specimens. The paintings served as both art and catalogue.
He used two different signatures depending on the size of the painting: a cursive, decorative version for larger formats and a more compact form for miniatures. The practice was later misinterpreted as evidence that two different painters were at work. He spent time in Spain as court painter to Philip IV and as a captain in the King's army, probably in the late 1640s. He married Maria van Apshoven in 1647; of their thirteen children, Ferdinand and Jan the Younger also became painters. He died in Antwerp in 1679.
He was born in Antwerp in 1626, the grandson of Jan Brueghel the Elder through his mother Paschasia. He studied under Simon de Vos and later received instruction from his uncle and godfather Jan Brueghel the Younger. He became a master in the Guild of Saint Luke in 1644 as a flower painter, though flowers were only one of his subjects. He painted garlands, bouquets, marines, river landscapes, paradise scenes, allegories and genre subjects, but he is best known for tiny, jewel-like paintings of insects and shells on copper, depicted against light backgrounds with scientific exactitude.
He worked from nature and from illustrated scientific texts, blending direct observation with published sources. His small insect panels were sometimes produced in pairs or as series designed to decorate the fronts of cabinet drawers where collectors stored actual specimens. The paintings served as both art and catalogue.
He used two different signatures depending on the size of the painting: a cursive, decorative version for larger formats and a more compact form for miniatures. The practice was later misinterpreted as evidence that two different painters were at work. He spent time in Spain as court painter to Philip IV and as a captain in the King's army, probably in the late 1640s. He married Maria van Apshoven in 1647; of their thirteen children, Ferdinand and Jan the Younger also became painters. He died in Antwerp in 1679.
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