The Allegory of Earth
The significance of this work
What is significant about “The Allegory of Earth” by Jan Brueghel I and Hendrick van Balen? This is an analysis and description of this work. This is based on my observations and “Flemish Art and Architecture” by Hans Vileighe.
Analysis
This work has detailed designs and is colorful. The fleshy figures are a main part of the painting. There is a lot of design. The painting seems to be circular, with not as much going on in the middle and a lot of detail and objects around the edges, in a circular shape. The significant issues and most important ideas are the gods, nature, and plentifulness. There is a bit of landscape. But the rest of the painting is filled up with the figures of nature.
The painting is of average size, oil on panel, painted between 1630 and 1635. The quality is good. The painting is like others of its time because of its subject, color, and the round and fleshy figures. I feel that the expectation for the work was to not have more than one thing stand out.
There are many sources about Hendrick van Balen, who collaborated with many other artists, including Jan Brueghel I. Van Balen’s work was often compared to the artwork of other artists as well. Van Balen was mostly known for his figures. The Brueghels and van Balens had styles that were like eachother.
Bibliography
Vlieghe, Hans. 1998. Flemish Art and Architecture 1585-1700. New Haven: Yale University Press.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2019 Mark Richardson
Comments
AUTHORBrushstrokes are more noticeable the closer you get to the painting.
Brueghel was more popular in my opinion. I have been more familiar with Rubens, whom i may cover in future articles
Fabulous introduction to a beautiful piece of art.
Please elucidate more on the strokes and the thinking of the artist.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for your comments! I had an excellent art teacher in high school who really helped me appreciate art. College professors, on the other hand, take things a lot more seriously and can be very critical, so art history wasn't as enjoyable in college
I had never seen this painting before. I see the fantasy in it. The colors are vivid and beautiful.
I had to walk away before finishing my comment. But, now I know that the artist used a technique to accentuate his art. Now I will look for paintings that do that with a new perspective.
- AUTHOR
I really like symbolism in art. It's interesting to explore ideas when you analyze it
This is an interesting article, not because I all of a sudden developed an interest in art, but that now I have an interest in art because I read the article. The fact that one thing is supposed to stand out would have never crossed my mind. I would have thought that the artist was being lazy after he painted the main object.
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