(Antwerp 1581–1642) and(Antwerp 1589–1626)
Apollo and the muses of music in a wooded landscape,
oil on panel, 50.5 x 60.5 cm, framed

We are grateful to Ursula Härting for endorsing the attribution. A written certificate accompanies the present painting.

This charming allegory in a wooded landscape is a typical example of the cooperation between two successful Antwerp masters, Frans Francken and Abraham Govaerts. Although it was common in other artistic centres as well, cooperation by independent and highly specialized painters was nowhere else so accepted a working practice as in early 17th century Antwerp. In fact, this was established to such a degree that collaborative works became almost a signum of the artists of that city, as exemplified in famous collaborations such as between Pieter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder. Abraham Govaerts executed the verdant and richly foliaged wooded landscape in the present painting, whilst Francken, who was predominantly working as a small-scale figurative artist, executed the elegant staffage.
Francken designed a multi figured allegorical composition in Govaerts’ woodland clearing, formerly interpreted as Apollo and the nine muses. Härting suggests that, as in fact the only attributes depicted here are musical instruments, the painting can be interpreted as an allegory of Music, most likely intended to form part of the panelling of a music room. Härting also notes that there are some passages of workshop participation in Govaerts’ execution of the wood and in some of Franckens’ figures as well.