Who painted Landscape with Fables?

Landscape with Fables was painted by Adriaen van Stalbemt in 1620.

Where can I see Landscape with Fables?

Landscape with Fables is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Landscape with Fables?

Landscape with Fables is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Landscape with Fables

Adriaen van Stalbemt , 1620

Landscape with Fables is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van Stalbemt. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1620 by the Flemish artist Adriaen van Stalbemt, *Landscape with Fables* is an oil painting that belongs to the early‑17th‑century Dutch Golden Age. The work presents a broad natural scene dominated by a single tree, a winding river, and a distant settlement, all rendered with meticulous attention to texture and colour.

Subject & Meaning

The composition combines a quiet forest setting with a modest village, a bridge, and a variety of wildlife such as deer and birds. While the landscape appears tranquil, the inclusion of mythological or allegorical figures—common in van Stalbemt’s oeuvre—suggests a narrative layer that invites contemplation of humanity’s place within nature.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting displays a refined handling of light and shadow, creating depth through subtle chiaroscuro. Van Stalbemt’s brushwork captures the rough bark of trees, the varied greens of foliage, and the reflective surface of the river, producing a richly textured surface that enhances the scene’s realism.

History & Provenance

*Landscape with Fables* has been part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection. The work reflects van Stalbemt’s practice of adding staffage—figural elements—to landscapes, a skill he often supplied for other artists, underscoring his role within the collaborative workshop culture of his time.

Artist & collection

Artist

Adriaen van Stalbemt

Adriaen or Adriaan van Stalbemt or Adriaen van Stalbempt (12 June 1580 – 21 September 1662) was a Flemish painter and printmaker who is known for his landscapes with religious, mythological and allegorical scenes.