Anton Goubau (1616-1698) Flemish baroque painter from Antwerp is best known for his very lively genre scenes and his representations of idealized antiquity. Although he was trained in the Flemish tradition, his trip to Italy (between 1644 and 1650) profoundly influenced his style, bringing him closer to Italian classicism and the Bamboccianti movement. Our painting Scene of imaginary Mediterranean port animated by ships illustrates his interest in idealized and lively landscapes. It represents a fictional port with an ancient look, populated by characters in classic outfits, evoking Antiquity or the Renaissance. The warm and golden light, typical of his work, highlights the animation of the port, where boats and human figures intertwine in a living scene. This merchant woman, sitting, selling her vegetables reinforces the authenticity of the scene. The contrast between his humble activity and the presence of horsemen and soldiers in the center of the painting reflects the social diversity of the scene, a key element of the bambooccian style. This type of composition reflects the enthusiasm of the time for Italy and its picturesque landscapes, while retaining a Flemish touch in the attention to detail and the precision of the figures.
