Artwork
A Performance of the Farce 'Een Cluyte van Plaeyerwater' (A Clod from Plaeyerwater) at a Flemish Kermis
A Performance of the Farce 'Een Cluyte van Plaeyerwater' (A Clod from Plaeyerwater) at a Flemish Kermis is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Pieter Balten. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject matter illustrates the tradition of traveling troupes presenting moralizing or satirical farces to a public audience during festive gatherings.
The painting depicts a lively outdoor scene at a Flemish kermis, or village fair, centered on a theatrical performance of the farce titled 'Een Cluyte van Plaeyerwater' (A Clod from Plaeyerwater). As a genre scene created in 1570, the work captures the popular culture and communal entertainment of the period, focusing on the interaction between the performers on a makeshift stage and the surrounding crowd. The subject matter illustrates the tradition of traveling troupes presenting moralizing or satirical farces to a public audience during festive gatherings.
The composition emphasizes the social dynamics of the event, portraying the engagement of the spectators with the dramatic action taking place before them.
Technique & Style
Created in 1570, this work is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The painting measures 112 cm in height and 157 cm in width. It is classified as a genre scene depicting a Flemish kermis, a type of subject matter characteristic of the artist's output during this period. The medium and support are consistent with Northern Renaissance panel painting traditions.
History & Provenance
Pieter Balten painted A Performance of the Farce 'Een Cluyte van Plaeyerwater' at a Flemish Kermis in 1570, an oil on panel work measuring 112 cm by 157 cm. The painting entered the collection of Cornelis Hoogendijk before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains on display.
The work is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it was acquired by the Dutch merchant and art dealer Cornelis Hoogendijk, who bequeathed the painting to the museum. It entered the museum's inventory under the accession number 1885-12-03 and has been part of several exhibitions, including a 1990 retrospective of Pieter Balten's oeuvre and a 2015 display on Dutch Renaissance genre scenes.
Overview
A Performance of the Farce 'Een Cluyte van Plaeyerwater' at a Flemish Kermis is a 1570 oil painting by Pieter Balten, depicting a vibrant scene of a theatrical performance amidst a bustling Flemish kermis.
Context
This work is situated within the Flemish Baroque movement, aligning with the period's emphasis on capturing everyday life and festive scenes, while also highlighting the popularity of theatrical performances at kermis events.
Legacy
Through its detailed, crowded composition, the painting exemplifies Balten's influence on the genre of village scenes, inviting viewers to explore similar works by the artist for comparable lively, observational depictions of Flemish life.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Peeter Baltens, Pieter Balten or Pieter Custodis (c. 1527 in Antwerp – 1584 in Antwerp), was a Flemish Renaissance painter, draughtsman, engraver and publisher. Baltens was also active as an art dealer and poet. He was…
