The volume comprised of 16 essays by a group of internationally acclaimed authors strives to contribute to a clearer perception of the complex facets of Jacob Jordaens’ oeuvre – and moreover to distinguish it from the works of Rubens, van Dyck, and his contemporaries. The title ‘Genius of Grand Scale’ refers to the spectrum from history to genre as well as to Jordaens’ preference for large formats. Tribute must also be paid to the greatness of the artist Jacob Jordaens, since even the fact that he outlived Rubens for four whole decades did not enable him to escape from under his shadow. By reference to iconographic and iconological studies not only single works are identified and presented in a broad review, but also the long, in many aspects fragmentary reception of his artistic work forms a large part of the interpretations presented here. Furthermore, technical examinations of paintings assist...