"Allegory of Vanity"
Workshop of Abraham Janssen (Antwerp 1573-1632)
Oil on canvas
Gilded and lacquered box frame.
Canvas 98 x 120 Frame 116 x 140
Excellent condition
Splendid Flemish canvas depicting a sumptuously dressed and bejeweled woman intent on looking at herself in the mirror with an attitude of ostentatious Vanity. The painting, with a great chiaroscuro and chromatic effect, is part of the vast repertoire of Abraham Janssen and highlights all the stylistic characteristics of this great Master.
In fact, it was reproduced, always maintaining the same setting, by his renowned workshop.
Our work is certainly of excellent workmanship and constitutes a valid example of his painting.
Abraham Janssens, also called Abraham Janssens Van Nuyssen, (born around 1573, Antwerp and died on January 25, 1632 in Antwerp), Flemish painter, was the main exponent of the classical Baroque style in Flanders at the beginning of the 17th century.
His stylistic development indicates that he was in Rome between 1598 and 1601 and probably revisited the city between 1602 and 1610. His early paintings are characteristic of the Nordic Mannerist tradition.
Around 1610 he was influenced by the dramatic lighting and vigorous modeling of Caravaggio with the violent chiaroscuro of the Roman Baroque. His mature style, however, was largely shaped by the classicist styles of the Bolognese school (Carracci and Domenichino).
After 1625 he fell under the spell of Rubens like most artists in Flanders at the time, and his technique became looser and his compositions more lively with a triumph of light and color.
Certificate of authenticity with detailed descriptive sheet
