in the same street called the Stadt van Ghent ('City of Ghent').

Anthony's artistic talent became evident very early on. When he was 10 years old, he began formal training as a painter with Hendrick van Balen the Elder. This was a successful painter of small cabinet paintings who had several pupils. It is not known how long Anthony studied with van Balen, estimates varying from two to four years. While it was common for apprentices to stay on in