Old Masters Part II: Paintings, Sculpture, Drawings and Watercolours
Joos van Cleve, also known by his real name Joos van der Beke, was a prominent Netherlandish painter, active mainly in Antwerp from about 1511 until his death in 1540 or 1541. His work predominantly centered around religious subjects and portraits, including notable commissions for the French King Francis I during his time at the French court. His artistic oeuvre reflects a blend of traditional Netherlandish painting techniques with contemporary Renaissance styles, showcasing his direct knowledge of local art combined with an awareness of Italian developments.
Van Cleve's work was characterized by its elaborate detail, particularly in his altarpieces which often incorporated portraits and landscapes, demonstrating his refined painting style. His success in Antwerp was significant, and he was also recognized at the French court, indicating his high regard as a portrait artist. Notably, Van Cleve had the opportunity to paint members of the royal court, including King Francis I and Queen Eleanor of Austria, underscoring his skills in portraiture.
His paintings are recognized for their sensitivity to color and a unique solidity of figures, with some works showcasing the popular style of Antwerp Mannerism. Van Cleve was an innovator in introducing broad world landscapes in the backgrounds of his paintings, a technique that became popular in sixteenth-century northern Renaissance paintings. Despite his contributions to the Renaissance art movement, Van Cleve also produced works that were highly eclectic, drawing on the styles of earlier Netherlandish masters as well as Italian influences, particularly in his use of sfumato, evident in his Virgin and Child compositions.
For art collectors and experts, Joos van Cleve's legacy offers a rich exploration into the transition from medieval to Renaissance art in Northern Europe. His body of work, found in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery in Prague, the Louvre, and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, remains a testament to his versatility and skill as a painter of both religious narratives and royal portraits.
To delve deeper into the fascinating world of Joos van Cleve and to stay informed about exhibitions or sales featuring his work, consider signing up for updates from art institutions and auction houses. This subscription will ensure you remain at the forefront of developments and opportunities related to this influential artist's oeuvre, enhancing your collection and understanding of Renaissance art.
Jan Wildens was a Flemish painter, graphic artist, and draughtsman of the Baroque period, member of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp.
Wildens specialized in landscapes and collaborated with Rubens and other leading Flemish painters of his time.
Jonathan Richardson was an English artist, collector of drawings and writer on art, working almost entirely as a portrait-painter in London. He was considered by some art-critics as one of the three foremost painters of his time. He was the master of Thomas Hudson and George Knapton. Richardson was even more influential as a writer; he is credited with inspiring Joshua Reynolds to paint and theorise with his book An Essay on the Theory of Painting. This book is credited with being "the first significant work of artistic theory in English."
Jan van der Heyden was a Dutch Baroque-era painter, glass painter, draughtsman and printmaker. Van der Heyden was one of the first Dutch painters to specialize in townscapes and became one of the leading architectural painters of the Dutch Golden Age. He painted a number of still lifes in the beginning and at the end of his career.
Jan van der Heyden was also an engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to contemporary firefighting technology. Together with his brother Nicolaes, who was a hydraulic engineer, he invented an improvement of the fire hose in 1672. He modified the manual fire engine, reorganised the volunteer fire brigade (1685) and wrote and illustrated the first firefighting manual (Brandspuiten-boek). A comprehensive street lighting scheme for Amsterdam, designed and implemented by van der Heyden, remained in operation from 1669 until 1840 and was adopted as a model by many other towns and abroad.
Jan Josephsz. van Goyen was a Dutch landscape painter and draftsman of the Golden Age, a member of the Guild of St. Luke of Leiden, and a representative of the so-called tonal landscape. Van Goyen specialized in landscape painting and left many paintings depicting forest paths, rivers, lakes, and canals. He also painted peasant huts and the outskirts of towns.
Jan van Goin was one of the most prolific painters of the 17th century: some 1,200 paintings he created and some 800 drawings have survived.
Claes Moeyaert, or Nicolaes Cornelisz. Moeyaert, or Claes Cornelisz. Moeyaert, or Claes Cornelisz. Moeyaert, was a Dutch Baroque painter.
Moeyaert was a very prolific painter, he painted many biblical and mythological scenes with a special emphasis on dramatic moments. He followed Adam Elsheimer, Peter Lastman, Jan and Jacob Pinas, coming under the influence of Rembrandt himself in the mid-1630s. Moeyaert also designed Amsterdam's triumphal arch for the arrival of Maria de' Medici.
