Artwork

Diana als Patronin der Navigationskunst, der Fischer und Jäger (nach Jan Saenredam)

Diana als Patronin der Navigationskunst, der Fischer und Jäger (nach Jan Saenredam) is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Frans Francken III. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about this style, you might want to look into the work of artist Frans Francken III.

This painting depicts a scene with a statue of a woman in the center, surrounded by people. The woman is nude and holds a bow and arrow, with a crescent moon above her head. The people around her are dressed in clothing from the 17th century. In the background, there is a landscape with trees and a building.

The painting is done in a style that suggests it was created in the Baroque period. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and drama to the scene.

If you're interested in learning more about this style, you might want to look into the work of artist Frans Francken III.

Overview

Frans Francken III, a Flemish painter active in the early seventeenth century, completed this mythological canvas in 1637. The work portrays the Roman goddess Diana, presented as a protector of navigation, fishing and hunting, and is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre stands a nude Diana, bow in hand and a crescent moon hovering above her head, symbolising her role as huntress and lunar deity. Surrounding figures, dressed in contemporary seventeenth‑century attire, suggest the goddess’s patronage extended to everyday pursuits such as seafaring, angling and the chase.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Baroque idiom, the painting employs pronounced chiaroscuro, with stark light falling on Diana while the surrounding crowd recedes into shadow. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional effect and heightens the dramatic focus on the divine figure.

History & Provenance

The composition is a reinterpretation after an earlier design by Jan Saenredam, indicating Francken’s engagement with established prints. After remaining in private hands, the canvas entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Flemish Baroque collection.

Context

Francken III belonged to a prolific artistic dynasty and worked within the vibrant cultural milieu of Antwerp, where mythological subjects were popular among patrons. The depiction of Diana as a patron of navigation reflects contemporary interests in exploration and trade during the Dutch Golden Age.