Who painted Saint Ann?

Saint Ann was painted by Hendrick van Balen the Elder in 1611.

Where can I see Saint Ann?

Saint Ann is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Saint Ann?

Saint Ann is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Saint Ann

Hendrick van Balen the Elder , 1611

Saint Ann is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Hendrick van Balen the Elder. It dates from 1611 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. Created circa 1611, this oil painting on copper presents a solitary female figure immersed in a quiet interior.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1611, this oil painting on copper presents a solitary female figure immersed in a quiet interior. The work measures only a few inches across, reflecting the artist’s preference for intimate, cabinet-sized compositions. It is presently displayed in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

Subject & Meaning

The woman, dressed in a modest robe and head covering, holds an open book and gazes pensively to her left. The setting suggests a devotional scene, with the act of reading symbolising piety and contemplation, aligning the figure with the traditional iconography of Saint Anne.

Technique & Style

Executed on copper, the painting benefits from the smooth surface’s capacity for fine detail and luminous color. Van Balen employs a restrained palette, contrasting the muted red background with the figure’s pale garments, and renders the textures of fabric and skin with delicate brushwork characteristic of early Flemish Baroque.

History & Provenance

Hendrick van Balen the Elder, a prominent Flemish Baroque painter, produced the work during a period of renewed artistic activity in the Southern Netherlands. After remaining in private hands for centuries, the painting entered the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, where it remains part of the museum’s Flemish painting holdings.

Context

Van Balen’s oeuvre includes mythological, allegorical, and occasional religious subjects, reflecting the diverse demands of early 17th‑century patrons. His workshop also trained Anthony van Dyck, linking the painting to a lineage that shaped subsequent Flemish and European art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Hendrick van Balen the Elder

Hendrick van Balen or Hendrick van Balen I (c. 1573–1575 – 17 July 1632) was a Flemish Baroque painter and stained glass designer. Hendrick van Balen specialised in small cabinet pictures often painted on a copper…