HENDRICK VAN BALEN THE ELDER | Adoration of the Magi

The copper support is flat and stable, and is supported by panel. The paint surface is in excellent condition, with bold colors and sensitive modeling retained. Under UV inspection, small, minor retouches are visible in the Madonna's robe and in the lower right corner in response to frame abrasion. A small area above the head of the African magus is likely an old repair that is visible to the naked eye. The painting can hang as is without further restoration or cleaning. Offered in a dark wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Cabinet painter Van Balen had a preference for mythological scenes with many nude and semi-nude figures; his Biblical subjects are rarer. Among those, the Adoration of the Magi appears to have been a favorite: he rendered the subject in several compositions. A larger variant of the present picture is Hendrick van Balen’s earliest known dated work from 1598.¹ The artist has not simply replicated his earlier work in a much smaller size, but approached the details anew, changing the attire and pose of several of the figures. The pose of the Madonna and Child is virtually the same, but here Van Balen has placed them lower, so the interaction with the kneeling king becomes more intimate. These adjustments suggest that the present lot dates to after 1598, but likely within the first decade of the 17th century. We are grateful to Dr. Fred G. Meijer for invaluable assistance in cataloging this lot. 1. See B. Werche, Hendrick van Balen (1575-1632): ein Antwerpener Kabinettbildmaler der Rubenszeit, Turnhout 2004, p. 142, no. A21