ART AFICIONADO: Sir Balthazar Gerbier

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Sir Balthazar Gerbier

Art Appreciation

Born in Middelburg, Zeeland (Netherlands) on February 23, 1592, Sir Balthazar Gerbier emerged as a leading figure in 17th-century Dutch painting, extending his influence beyond artistry into architecture, diplomacy, and espionage.

In 1616, Gerbier arrived in London, where he found employment under the English courtier George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, engaging initially as an art collector. His talents quickly expanded to encompass the oversight of estate renovations and the creation of miniature paintings while in Buckingham's service. Subsequently, Gerbier embarked on a diplomatic mission alongside Buckingham and Prince Charles to Madrid, aiming to negotiate the union of the Prince with Princess Maria Anna of Spain.

Following the unsuccessful endeavor in Spain, Gerbier accompanied the Prince and the Duke to Paris, where Prince Charles entered into a proxy marriage with the French princess Henrietta Maria. It was during this time in Paris that Gerbier forged a close bond with the renowned artist Peter Paul Rubens.

Following Rubens's demise, Gerbier facilitated the acquisition of the artist's collection for King Charles, subsequently assuming the role of the King's resident agent in Brussels. During his tenure in Brussels, Gerbier engaged in clandestine activities, collaborating with Flemish nobility to undermine Spanish rule while clandestinely selling intelligence to the King of Spain. Unbeknownst to King Charles I of the espionage, Gerbier was appointed Master of Ceremonies, tasked with organizing royal spectacles and events.

Subsequent to his dismissal in 1641, Gerbier embarked on various ventures, including a banking scheme in France, a quest for gold in Guiana, and the establishment of a painting academy in London, all while maintaining political involvement.

Gerbier's intriguing views on slavery, published in 1660, advocated for the enslavement of Africans as a means of economic advancement. He argued that the Africans brought to England were previously enslaved and that their introduction to Christianity under English rule represented an improvement in their condition -- a thought I consider repulsive.