Van Balen was born in Antwerp, and taught by Adam van Noort. He probably visited Italy but was working in Antwerp from 1602. He was a figure painter. Van Dyck was one of his many pupils.
Hendrick van Balen the Elder
1575? - 1632
Paintings by Hendrick van Balen the Elder
Hendrick van Balen the Elder and Follower of Jan Brueghel the Elder
The god Pan pursues the virginal nymph Syrinx, who flails her arms as she teeters on the edge of the river Ladon, a frog escaping out of her path. She is moments from being transformed by river nymphs into reeds, in answer to her prayers to escape her unwanted suitor. Pan would later use these re...