Das Urteil des Midas

Van Uden employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect: illumination catches the faces and hands of the men while the surrounding foliage recedes into deep darkness. This contrast heightens the three‑dimensionality of the figures and underscores the dramatic moment. The landscape, rendered with fine brushwork, displays the artist’s skill in depicting wooded environments.

Created in 1633, the painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Van Uden, active in Antwerp, often worked with figure painters, a practice that may explain the collaborative feel of the scene. The work has remained in public collections, allowing continued scholarly access.

During the early 17th century, Flemish artists frequently blended landscape and narrative, responding to a market that prized both naturalistic scenery and mythological subjects. Van Uden’s contribution lies in his ability to frame human drama within a meticulously observed forest, a hallmark of the period’s interdisciplinary approach.