Adriaen van Stalbemt

Flemish 17th c., Allegory of war and peace, circa 1630, by Adriaen van Stalbemt

1630

Allegory of summer, personified by Ceres Workshop of Hendrick Van Balen Antwerp School, early 17th century. Oil on copper, Dimensions: h. 52 cm, l. 40cm Antic giltwood frame Framed dimensions: h. 74 cm, l. 60cm Very good condition Our delicately painted work is part of the pictorial tradition that is both allegorical and mythological in vogue in Antwerp, whose leaders are Jan Brueghel the Younger and Hendrick Van Balen. Numerous works emerging from their workshops illustrate mythological subjects, the seasons, the elements, the senses or intertwining the lush landscapes, animals and gods of Olympus. At the heart of a green landscape dominated in its center by a generous apple tree, the beautiful Ceres, partially dressed in a large blue drape, is wearing a crown of ears of wheat, her symbol of the goddess of the earth and harvests. She holds the sickle in her right hand and carries sheaves of wheat. To her right a nymph holds the cornucopia while puttis pick and offer flowers. In the foreground are the summer fruits: figs, cherries, apples and lemons. A squirrel munching on cherries symbolizes toil and foresight, themes that are echoed in the work of the harvesters on the wheat fields in the background. The background is composed of vegetation, on the right a wild rose bush with its branches erect against a tree trunk, in the center of the trees with silvery green foliage. Our painter, a student of Hendrick Van Balen, finds his inspiration in the works of the master such as this nymph in yellow drapery seen from behind, one of the figures which accompanies many of the master's paintings. The elegant gestures, the flesh...The indisputable influence of Jan Brueghel the Younger is revealed in the treatment of trees and flowers, wild roses, tulips as well as in the still life with the squirrel in the foreground. The craze for this type of virtuoso painting where the mythological figures are only a pretext to better illustrate the landscape and plant species surrounding them, then generated orders from all over Europe. Hendrick Van Balen, Flemish painter, born and died in Antwerp (1575-1632). A student of Adam Van Noort, he entered the guild of Saint-Luc in 1593, later trained in Italy and was Van Dyck's first master. He often painted small characters taken from scenes from the Bible or classical mythology, on paintings in which Josse de Momper...

The Triumph of the Infant Bacchus, Workshop of Hendrick Van Balen (1575-1632) Antwerp, c.1630 Oil on copper, h. 28 cm (11.02 in), w. 35 cm (13.78 in) A large Roman 17th century golden painted frame Framed: h. 52 cm (20.47 in.), w. 58 cm (22.83 in) Our finely painted work depicts The Triumph of the Bacchus as a young boy and is one of the most popular mythological subjects in Antwerp at the beginning of the 17th century. Feasting, wine and fun are the themes that constantly appeal to the public. Thus unfolds before our eyes on our painting the procession composed of nymphs, baccantes, fauns, satyrs and children, their bodies naked, partially covered with brightly coloured draperies that help to brighten up the parade. Playing various instruments, dancing and drinking, while carrying vases and poles adorned with grapevines, participants to the rhythm of a noisy brass band make their way to an ancient temple standing on the right. The exaggerated gestures convey to us the frenzy of the excited crowd. The Child Bacchus follows the joyous procession, carried by satyrs and nymphs, crowned with ivy and joyfully raising a cup of wine. In the foreground, the drunken participants leave the procession, the children on the left and the group of bacchantes and satyrs on the right are resting among various objects scattered at their feet: cups, vases, ewers bear witness to the festivities in progress. In the background, a hilly landscape stretches out on the horizon, a semblance of calm that contrasts with the bustle of the foreground. The artist strives to multiply the many details, whether it be figures, costumes, flowers or vegetation, in order to demonstrate his know-how and the perfection of his execution. The acidulous palette with fresh and varied colours is characteristic of Hendrick Van Balen's works. There are several versions identical to ours with similar dimensions painted by Hendrick Van Balen and his workshop. Related works: • Koller Auction, Zurich, 21/09/2007, oil on copper, 28,5 x 37,4 cm. • Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe, Inv. N° 809 (oil on copper, 40 x 53,5 cm) • Auktionshaus für Altertümer Glückselig, Vienne, 10/05/1932, ( oil on copper, 34 x 42 cm) • Gemäldegalerie of Pommersfelden, Schloss Weissenstein, oil on panel, 47 x 64 cm Hendrick Van Balen, Flemish painter, born and died in Antwerp (1575-1632). A pupil of Adam Van Noort, he entered the Guild of St. Luke in 1593, later trained in Italy and was Van Dyck's first teacher. He often painted small figures taken from scenes from the Bible or classical mythology, on paintings whose backgrounds and landscapes were painted by Josse de Momper...

Pieter Van Lint (Antwerp, 1609-1690) Allegory of industriousness leading to peace and abundance Oil on copper; frame measures cm H 132 x W 159 x D 8, copper measures cm H 104 x W 130 Artwork signed (bottom center) "P.V. Lint F./ en A.B" The important and valuable painting, made of oil on copper, depicts the Allegory of industriousness that leads to peace and abundance. The work is signed in the bottom and center "P V Lint", or Pieter Van Lint (Antwerp, 28 June 1609 - Antwerp, 25 September 1690), famous Flemish painter and designer active in Antwerp in the second half of the seventeenth century. Van Lint elaborates a complex and articulated composition in which he inserts several figures also drawn from mythology to propose the allegorical message of industriousness that leads to peace and abundance. The artistic style of the author is characterized by meticulous realism and by the careful attention to detail and the rendering of the materials that make up the objects described. As we will see later, every detail represented within the work contains a symbolic and allegorical meaning that reinforces the message that already the same figures express. The remarkable dimensions of the copper support, not so infrequent in the artistic production of the artist, contribute to make the work of great value: Unfortunately, many of these artifacts have been lost because copper was often recovered in times of war and famine, and reused to obtain weapons and common tools. The copper foil proved to be ideal for oil painting because it constituted a non-absorbent support, rigid, smooth and characterized by the same reddish coloring that was used for the preparation of funds. The major production centers were Antwerp, Hamburg and Amsterdam, although the technique was widely used in Italy. The considerable cost of the material indicates a wealthy client, interested in possessing a valuable and durable work over time, this characteristic that the metal foil has more than the canvas. The painting is known to scholars. It is recorded in the catalog of the artist of the RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History (with measures 104 x 129 cm). He also appeared on the French antiques market...

French Master (18th century) - Allegory of the Arts. 53 x 72 cm without frame, 63 x 83 cm with frame. Ancient oil painting on canvas, in a gilded wooden frame (not signed). Condi...