Church Interior

Artist Frans Francken II (Flemish, 1581–1642)

Artist Pieter Neeffs I (Flemish, about 1578–1656)

Date17th century

Mediumoil on panel

Dimensionspanel: 42.5 x 55.7 cm (16 3/4 x 21 15/16 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineGift of Nelson Goodman

Terms

Object number1991.45

Label TextChurch interiors were a popular subject for a number of Antwerp artists. These architectural scenes, often the invention of the artist, show the diversity of people and activities that one could expect to find in a church at this time. Seventeenth-century Flemish painters often specialized in certain subjects and combined their individual talents to produce a single work. In this painting, the architecture is by Pieter Neeffs I and the figures by Frans Francken the Younger, two artists who frequently collaborated in this way. Both painters' names appear on the base of the pier at the right. This painting includes a rare documentation of yet another form of collaboration. Above the signatures of the two painters, inside the red frame, is a small inscription that refers to Michiel Vriendt, the man who produced the oak panel on which this picture is painted. Vriendt's initials, MV, can also be found on the back of the panel. Vriendt produced panels for many of Antwerp's leading artists including Peter Paul Rubens. In this work, special tribute is paid to Vriendt whose name appears beneath a statue of Saint Michael, his patron saint.ProvenanceProf. Nelson Goodman, Weston, MA 02193

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