Description of the picture:
Archduke Leopold Wilhelm in his gallery in Brussels – David Teniers the Younger. 1647-1651. Canvas, oil. 104.8×130.4
On this canvas Teniers (1610-1690) depicted the art gallery of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, a famous connoisseur of art, comparable only to King Philip IV of Spain. The Archduke, being governor in the Netherlands, has compiled a magnificent collection of works by Flemish and Italian masters.
The artist, having entered his service, was appointed guardian of the collection in 1651. He decided to perpetuate the treasures of the gallery. So, thanks to him, an “engraved catalog” of the collection was created, called the “Theater of Painting”. Teniers also painted canvases with images of the interior of the art gallery itself. In the presented work, next to the exhibits of the famous collection, the viewer sees the owner himself. The canvas today is of not only artistic but also historical value, because copies of the works of the famous predecessors of the painter are executed amazingly accurately."