Matthys Balen (1684; 1766) - Animated landscape

Panel of 39 cm by 27 cm
Old frame of 52 cm by 40 cm

Our painting is signed at the bottom in the center with the monogram of the artist MB. The painter offers us one of his favorite subjects, a charming river landscape animated by many characters.

Matthys Balen (1684; 1766)

We know little about this artist. He was born in Dordrecht in 1684, son of Jan Balen and grandson of the writer Matthys Balen. He was a pupil of the painter Arnold Houbraken (1660; 1719). He is a painter of religious subjects, genre scenes and animated landscapes.