Jan II Brueghel (1601 - 1678) & Hendrik van Balen (1575 - 1632)

The author of the figural painting depicting the nine Muses is Hendrick van Balen, Flemish artist, who specialized mainly in small-format cabinet paintings. His favorite subjects were mythological and allegorical scenes. He played an important role in the renewal of Flemish painting in the early 17th century and was one of the teachers of Anthony van Dyck. The seven Muses play various musical instruments, and two look at the sheet music. The god Apollo approaches them from the right. The scene takes place in a richly vegetated green countryside, painted by Jan Brueghel the Younger. Collaborations between artists were very popular in Flanders in the 17th century. Brueghel worked in the style of his father, Jan Brueghel the Elder. (expert opinion: Dr. Klaus Ertz, Lingen)