Jacob Ferdinand Saeys Antwerp 1658 - 1725 Vienna

Saeys' training with the Antwerp-based painter of architectural views, Wilhelm von Ehrenberg, greatly influenced Saeys' choice of subject matter. Here, the monumental portico, before which an elegant company has gathered is a superb example of the master's fanciful architectural renderings. The sharp light cast on the building and the way in which the pale sky sets off the composition are particularly striking elements that contribute to the artist's success in suggesting scale and volume. The inclusion of elements such as the peacock and page boy add a playful dimension to the painting.  The picture is dated 1694, a decade after Saeys moved to Vienna, and the same year as his wedding to Maria van Risman.