Portrait of Hendrik van Balen

Anthony Van Dyck

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Antony Van Dyck. The drawing shows the portrait of a man, turned towards the left and looking directly out at the viewer. The man is wearing contemporary dress with a ruff around his neck and a thick cloak. He has short hair, a moustache and beard. The man's left hand is held against his chest and his right is resting on a head in front of him, which the artist has only lightly drawn in. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 23 ANTONY VAN DYCK (b. 1599; d. 1641) PORTRAIT OF HENDRIK VAN BALEN Collection of the Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth. From the Collection of N. A. Flinck. Black chalk. 24.3 x 19.8 cm. (9 9/16 x 7 7/8 in.) Another of Van Dyck's original studies for his Iconography, of which three were reproduced in last year's portfolio (Nos. 17-19). [With the Manchester City Art Gallery accession numbers: 1932.71.17, 1932.71.18 and 1932.71.19] It was engraved in reverse by Paul Pontius (Wibiral 42, Dutuit 48), with little other variation beside the introduction of a column in the background and the elaboration of the head of an antique statue which is merely indicated in the drawing beneath the painters hand. The aptness of the illusion is explained by the title attached by Pontius to his print, 'Henricus Van Baelen, Pictor Ant. Humanarum Figurarum Vetustatis Cultor.' Van Balen's love of antique art is reflected in his numerous landscapes with classical staffage, which were more appreciated by his contemporaries than they are in the present day. He will be chiefly remembered as one of Van Dyck's masters. A. M. H."