Portrait of Hendrick van Balen
Flemish, about 1627 - 1632
Black chalk
9 5/8 x 7 3/4 in.
Black chalk
9 5/8 x 7 3/4 in.
Anthony Van Dyck's former teacher, Hendrick van Balen, lived in Antwerp
and painted religious and mythological themes. Van Dyck made this
portrait as a study for a print that was part of a series known as The Iconography.
This series was a collection of portraits of distinguished artists,
soldiers, statesmen, administrators, and scholars of the early 1600s.
Using only black chalk, Van Dyck created a striking characterization of his old teacher. By placing Van Balen's right hand on the head of an antique bust while his left presses a soft cloth close to his chest, Van Dyck effectively suggested the erudition and refined personality of his mentor.
Using only black chalk, Van Dyck created a striking characterization of his old teacher. By placing Van Balen's right hand on the head of an antique bust while his left presses a soft cloth close to his chest, Van Dyck effectively suggested the erudition and refined personality of his mentor.
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