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

Constant Permeke (1886 - 1952)
Constant Permeke
1886 - 1952
Hugo Maurice Julien Claus (1929 - 2008)
Hugo Maurice Julien Claus
1929 - 2008
Cornelis Mahu (1613 - 1689)
Cornelis Mahu
1613 - 1689
Frans Pourbus II (1569 - 1622)
Frans Pourbus II
1569 - 1622
Frits Van den Berghe (1883 - 1939)
Frits Van den Berghe
1883 - 1939
Charles Augustin Wauters (1808 - 1869)
Charles Augustin Wauters
1808 - 1869
Paul Hagemans (1884 - 1959)
Paul Hagemans
1884 - 1959
Gerard Bouttats (1630 - 1668)
Gerard Bouttats
1630 - 1668
Félix Labisse (1905 - 1982)
Félix Labisse
1905 - 1982
Bonaventura Peeters I (1614 - 1652)
Bonaventura Peeters I
1614 - 1652
Agapit Stevens (1848 - 1924)
Agapit Stevens
1848 - 1924
Pieter Neefs l (1578 - 1661)
Pieter Neefs l
1578 - 1661
François-Antoine Bossuet (1798 - 1889)
François-Antoine Bossuet
1798 - 1889
Pieter van Bloemen (1657 - 1720)
Pieter van Bloemen
1657 - 1720
Norbert Roettiers (1665 - 1727)
Norbert Roettiers
1665 - 1727
Claire Colinet (1880 - 1950)
Claire Colinet
1880 - 1950

Creators Baroque

Egbert van Heemskerсk III (1676 - 1744)
Egbert van Heemskerсk III
1676 - 1744
Jacopo Tintoretto (1518 - 1594)
Jacopo Tintoretto
1518 - 1594
Abraham Bloemaert (1564 - 1651)
Abraham Bloemaert
1564 - 1651
Hans De Jode (1630 - 1663)
Hans De Jode
1630 - 1663
Charles Mellin (1597 - 1649)
Charles Mellin
1597 - 1649
Ferdinand Petzl (1819 - 1899)
Ferdinand Petzl
1819 - 1899
Frans van Mieris (1635 - 1681)
Frans van Mieris
1635 - 1681
Philippe de Champaigne (1602 - 1674)
Philippe de Champaigne
1602 - 1674
Giulia Elisabetta Lama (1681 - 1747)
Giulia Elisabetta Lama
1681 - 1747
Pieter Cosyn (1630 - 1677)
Pieter Cosyn
1630 - 1677
Bernardo Schiaffino (1678 - 1725)
Bernardo Schiaffino
1678 - 1725
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 - 1611)
Bartholomäus Spranger
1546 - 1611
Pierre Philibert Degand (1747 - 1825)
Pierre Philibert Degand
1747 - 1825
Barnaba da Modena (1328 - 1386)
Barnaba da Modena
1328 - 1386
 Sodoma (1477 - 1549)
Sodoma
1477 - 1549
Hieronymus Bosch (1450 - 1516)
Hieronymus Bosch
1450 - 1516