Gillis Claeissens (1526 - 1605)

Gillis Claeissens

Gillis Claeissens or Egidius Claeissens was a Flemish painter from a dynasty of a famous family of artists from Bruges.

Gillis trained in the studio of his father, Pieter Claeissens, worked at the court of Alexander Farnese in Brussels, and later was court painter to Archdukes Albert and Isabella. He painted religious paintings for the Brussels court, as well as miniature portraits of the Archduchess.

Gillis was a master of portraits, as well as of prostrate images. His portrait paintings are distinguished by the careful painting of the clothes and jewelry of people whose poses are usually static and whose faces are inexpressive.