The Rape of the Sabines

Although known primarily as a painter of intimate cabinet-sized pictures of history subjects with small scale figures, Hendrik van Balen also painted large works like the present one. It is similar in style to another large painting on panel (63½ x 85in.) of the same subject which sold at Sotheby's, London, Dec. 16, 1953, lot 124; compare also van Balen's Moses Striking the Rock, on panel 72½ x 94½in., sold at Christie's, London, March 25, 1977, lot 94 (incorrectly as Hans Jordaens). Several of the poses in the present work paraphrase Italian sources. Although there is no archival proof that van Balen journeyed south to Italy, he was Dean of the Society of Romanists in Antwerp whose membership was restricted to people who had travelled to Rome. He was probably in Italy some time between 1592/3 and 1602.