Jan Brueghel the Elder & Hendrik van Balen

Garland of Fruit surrounding a Depiction of Cybele Receiving Gifts from Personifications of the Four Seasons

Jan Brueghel the Elder & Hendrik van Balen
Garland of Fruit surrounding a Depiction of Cybele Receiving Gifts from Personifications of the Four Seasons

c. 1620-1622 On view in Room 3

The medallion in the centre depicts Cybele, the goddess of Earth and Nature. Around the medallion hangs a garland of flowers, vegetables and fruit – a tribute to the goddess and an ode to plenty and fertility.

Brueghel collaborated on this painting with Van Balen, who was responsible for painting the medallion. Brueghel himself painted the abundant garland, the surrounding figures and the numerous animals. He painted with such a fine touch that he was called the Velvet Brueghel.

Technical details

Jan Brueghel the Elder & Hendrik van Balen
Garland of Fruit surrounding a Depiction of Cybele Receiving Gifts from Personifications of the Four Seasons

c. 1620-1622 On view in Room 3

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Details

General information
Artist Jan Brueghel the Elder (Brussels 1568 - 1625 Antwerp) and Hendrik van Balen (Antwerp c. 1574/1575 - 1632 Antwerp)
Title Garland of Fruit surrounding a Depiction of Cybele Receiving Gifts from Personifications of the Four Seasons
Dated c. 1620-1622
Object name painting
Inventory number 233
On view in Room 3
Material and technical details
Technique oil
Material panel
Dimensions 106.3 x 69.9 cm
Inscriptions
Mark on the verso: MV
MV in ligature, the mark of the Antwerp panel-maker Michiel Vriendt, and the weapon of the city

Provenance

Johan Anthony van Kinschot, Delft, until 1767; Prince William V, The Hague, 1770-1795; confiscated by the French, transferred to the Muséum Central des Arts/Musée Napoléon (Musée du Louvre), Paris, 1795-1815; Royal Picture Gallery, housed in the Prince William V Gallery, The Hague, 1816; transferred to the Mauritshuis, 1822