Hendrick de Clerck and workshop
The four elements
Oil on wood; framedDorotheum Wien, 28.11.1972, Nr. 21 (Colour Abb.) (as Hendrik de Cerck);The present painting shows the personifications of the four elements in front of a mountain landscape that opens into the depth of the pictorial space. In the upper part of the picture, the fire holding a torch and a blazingly raised bundle of flames, as well as the air surrounded by a swarm of exotic and native birds, is depicted; in the tree's branches at the right edge of the image is a parrot. The foreground is occupied by the stored figures of the earth and the water: the earth carries a fountain horn with fruit and is accompanied by flowers, a bear and monkey, the water is added to the shell and fish. Two of the figures are frontally facing the viewer, two appear as back figures with the head turned to the viewer. Dark parts of the trees capture the scene on both sides and direct the view to the brightly lit bodies behind which a mountain landscape opens up in depth.Hendrick de Clerck, who has been a court painter in Brussels since 1594, belongs stylistically to the generation of late mannerism. In addition to altarpieces, he created cabinet pieces with biblical, allegorical and mythological themes for the broad collector's circle. Among the compositions he performed several times in a similar arrangement are the four elements, such as the version of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich (Inv.-Nr. 2890).
Hendrick de Clerck and Workshop
>Difference taxed (30% in the surcharge is a 20% VAT included) / Differential Taxation (30% including 20% sales tax) Additions to our Rules of Procedure /