Hendrik Ii Van Balen Paintings

Hendrik van Balen was a Flemish Baroque painter who was born in Antwerp in 1575. He is primarily known for his mythological and religious scenes, as well as his adept skill in depicting light and his delicate handling of color. Van Balen’s works are characterized by their small scale, a common feature of cabinet paintings which were designed for the intimate setting of a collector's home rather than for public spaces.

Van Balen was a pupil of Adam van Noort, who also taught other prominent Flemish artists like Peter Paul Rubens and Jacob Jordaens. This connection situated van Balen within a network of influential artists in the Antwerp region. He became a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1592, and his career flourished as he received commissions from local patrons as well as from abroad.

In 1609, Hendrik van Balen collaborated with Jan Brueghel the Elder, a partnership that would yield a series of works combining both artists' strengths: van Balen's figures and Brueghel's landscapes. This collaborative approach was not uncommon during the time and allowed artists to specialize and complement each other’s styles.

Van Balen also played a significant role in the development of other artists by taking on apprentices. Perhaps his most famous pupil was Anthony van Dyck, who would go on to become one of the most prominent portraitists of the 17th century. Hendrik van Balen’s influence thus extended beyond his own creations, contributing to the growth of the Flemish Baroque style through his teaching and collaborations.

Despite his successful career, van Balen did not leave behind a vast body of work, and his paintings are relatively rare. He died in 1632 in Antwerp. Today, his work can be found in several major museums, and he is remembered for his contribution to the Flemish Baroque movement, especially in the realm of mythological and allegorical scenes.