Gerard de Lairesse (1640 - 1711)

Gerard de Lairesse (1640 - 1711) - photo 1

Gerard de Lairesse

Gerard de Lairesse was a Dutch painter, printmaker, and art theorist. Known for his classical approach, de Lairesse's work marked a departure from the Baroque style prevalent in the Dutch Golden Age, leaning instead towards the neoclassicism that would dominate European art in the 18th century. His art and theories were deeply influenced by the ideals of beauty, grace, and moral edification, advocating for the selection of the most perfect manifestations of natural phenomena rather than their random imitation​​.

De Lairesse was not only a prolific painter but also an influential art theorist. His treatises, "Grondlegginge ter teekenkonst" (1701) and "Het groot schilderboeck" (1707), were seminal works that laid down principles of art and aesthetics that influenced not just his contemporaries but also generations of artists to come. He emphasized the importance of adhering to theoretical knowledge and the study of nature, albeit through a lens that filtered out its imperfections, to achieve ideal beauty in art​​.

Despite facing personal challenges, including a congenital condition that led to the loss of his sight in his later years, de Lairesse remained a central figure in the artistic and intellectual circles of Amsterdam. His lectures, delivered from his home, attracted a wide array of students and enthusiasts, eager to learn from his extensive knowledge and experience​​.

Today, works by Gerard de Lairesse can be found in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Museum in the Netherlands, the Louvre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the National Gallery in London, among others. His legacy as the 'Dutch Poussin' speaks to his enduring influence on the evolution of European art, bridging the gap between the Baroque and the Neoclassical​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Gerard de Lairesse represents an intriguing study in the transition of art styles from the Baroque to Neoclassicism. His dedication to the theory and practice of art makes his work a valuable addition to any collection.

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Date and place of birt:11 september 1640, Liège, Belgium
Date and place of death:28 july 1711, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nationality:Belgium, The Netherlands
Period of activity: XVII, XVIII century
Specialization:Artist, Decorator, Engraver, Painter
Genre:Genre art, Mythological painting, Portrait
Art style:Baroque, Old Masters

Creators Belgium

Alfred William Finch (1854 - 1930)
Alfred William Finch
1854 - 1930
Willem Ignatius Kerricx (1682 - 1745)
Willem Ignatius Kerricx
1682 - 1745
Ferdinand Chevalier (1834 - 1894)
Ferdinand Chevalier
1834 - 1894
Willem Jacob Herreyns II (1743 - 1827)
Willem Jacob Herreyns II
1743 - 1827
Alexander Keirinks (1600 - 1652)
Alexander Keirinks
1600 - 1652
Adam Frans van der Meulen (1632 - 1690)
Adam Frans van der Meulen
1632 - 1690
Jean Baptiste de Jonghe (1785 - 1844)
Jean Baptiste de Jonghe
1785 - 1844
Louis (Lodewijk) Tytgadt (1841 - 1918)
Louis (Lodewijk) Tytgadt
1841 - 1918
Lucas van Falkenborch (1535 - 1597)
Lucas van Falkenborch
1535 - 1597
Gerard Bouttats (1630 - 1668)
Gerard Bouttats
1630 - 1668
Pieter Claesz (1597 - 1661)
Pieter Claesz
1597 - 1661
Frans Pourbus I (1545 - 1581)
Frans Pourbus I
1545 - 1581
Florent Willems (1823 - 1905)
Florent Willems
1823 - 1905
John Baptiste Medina (1659 - 1710)
John Baptiste Medina
1659 - 1710
Hendrick van Cleve III (1525 - 1590)
Hendrick van Cleve III
1525 - 1590
Frans Floris I (1516 - 1570)
Frans Floris I
1516 - 1570

Creators Baroque

Karl Stumpf (1784 - 1830)
Karl Stumpf
1784 - 1830
Francesco Carracci (1595 - 1622)
Francesco Carracci
1595 - 1622
Domenico Tempesti (1652 - 1737)
Domenico Tempesti
1652 - 1737
Lelio Orsi (1511 - 1587)
Lelio Orsi
1511 - 1587
Simondio Salimbeni (1597 - 1643)
Simondio Salimbeni
1597 - 1643
Jacob Ferdinand Voet (1639 - 1689)
Jacob Ferdinand Voet
1639 - 1689
Alexander Coosemans (1627 - 1689)
Alexander Coosemans
1627 - 1689
Ferdinand Maxmilián Brokoff (1688 - 1731)
Ferdinand Maxmilián Brokoff
1688 - 1731
Wolfgang Heimbach (1620 - 1678)
Wolfgang Heimbach
1620 - 1678
Frans Snyders (1579 - 1657)
Frans Snyders
1579 - 1657
Herman van der Mijn (1684 - 1741)
Herman van der Mijn
1684 - 1741
Joachim von Sandrart (1606 - 1688)
Joachim von Sandrart
1606 - 1688
Antonello da Messina (1430 - 1479)
Antonello da Messina
1430 - 1479
Anna Waser (1678 - 1714)
Anna Waser
1678 - 1714
Charles Lorraine Smith (1751 - 1835)
Charles Lorraine Smith
1751 - 1835
Aubertin Gaudron (1670 - 1713)
Aubertin Gaudron
1670 - 1713
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