Attributed to Theodoor Van Thulden

Attributed to THEODOOR VAN THULDEN (Bolduque, 1606 -1669).
"St. John the Baptist."
Oil on canvas. Relined.
It presents faults and Punctures.
Measurements: 151 x 117 cm.
The work represents St. John the Baptist in a lush landscape standing, with the anatomy clearly marked and modeled by an attentive study of the human body, and a careful modeling of light. The gesture of the raised hand, while collecting water from a stump, introduces a symbolic reading linked to baptism and purification. From the stylistic point of view, the painting reveals features consistent with the production attributed to Theodoor van Thulden. The figure is monumental, harmoniously integrated into the landscape, but clearly highlighted through the use of light and chromatic contrast. The anatomy, with defined musculature and firm contours, denotes a solid training in drawing and an interest in bodily structure, characteristic features of the Flemish language of the Mannerist tradition. The treatment of the landscape does not act as a mere background, but as a narrative frame that amplifies the spiritual sense of the scene.
Theodoor van Thulden was a leading figure in the Flemish artistic scene of the 17th century, active as a painter, draughtsman and engraver. Trained in the artistic environment of Antwerp, he soon achieved institutional recognition within the local guild and developed a career marked by versatility and thematic breadth. His artistic language is characterized by a personal synthesis between the Flemish Mannerist tradition and the influence of the great Baroque masters, especially Rubens and Van Dyck, without directly imitating any of them.
Throughout his career he worked both in large decorative cycles and in religious, historical and allegorical paintings, showing a deep knowledge of the symbolism and emblematic repertoires of the time. His work contributed significantly to the diffusion of monumental and elegant models in Flemish painting, influencing later generations and consolidating a style recognizable by the solidity of the drawing, the dignity of the figures and the balance between expressiveness and formal restraint.