Balthazar's Feast. Frans II Francken & Workshop (1541-1642)

Oil on oak panel, three attached plates. Presented in a very beautiful frame, model called "Cassetta" in molded wood, blackened and gold patterns in the corners. Dimensions with frame: 95 x 122 cm This precious painting, painted on oak panel, is to be placed in the circle of the Antwerp painter Frans II Francken (1541-1642) who made a specialty and a European reputation by producing paintings of small and medium formats illustrating religious, mythological or historical scenes. Our painting "Balthazar's Feast" is a variation on a composition by Frans II Francken of which we know several different versions. The great plastic quality, the fluidity of the execution and the finesse of the colors can plead, if not in favor of an autograph execution, at least of an intervention by the Master in his studio. Dating from the end of the 16th century, it is marked by the last fires of Mannerist aesthetics, of which we find many stylistic traits here. The episode of Balthazar's feast serves as a pretext for the staging of a rich and sumptuous Flemish banquet reminiscent of the works of a Brueghel, the emphasis being placed both on the sumptuousness of the costumes and on the richness of the banquet ornaments. The scene takes place in a reception room decorated according to the fashions of the end of the 16th century: hangings on the high walls, a large chandelier in brassware, a sideboard in espalier and in the foreground, jugs of wine of great refinement. A means of multiplying figures with precious elegance, pseudo-oriental costumes and delicate headgear. This work that we present to you, testifies to the great talent of Frans II Francken and his workshop to create scenes of theatrical and legendary appearance. This image, with its strong expressive potential, enjoyed significant favor at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century, as evidenced by the number of paintings on this subject kept in French or foreign museums. Under a velvet canopy, Balthazar king of Babylon is seated at the end of the table, in front of his soldiers. Wearing an oriental turban, he presides over the banquet he has ordered by inviting a large number of dignitaries from his kingdom. While it is sacred, the golden vessels of the temple in Jerusalem are used. While the guests are feasting, a supernatural hand writes in luminous letters on the back wall, a mysterious formula that only the young prophet Daniel will be able to interpret. This means that the king's days have been numbered, his soul weighed, and that his kingdom will be divided... Very good state of conservation. Sold with invoice & certificate.