Spanish Netherlands 17th century
Jan Brueghel the Elder, a Flemish painter born in 1568 in Brussels, was a pivotal figure in the Baroque period known for his intricate landscapes, detailed still lifes, and genre scenes. The son of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Jan was distinguished by his delicate brushwork, earning him the nicknames "Velvet" Brueghel, "Flower" Brueghel, and "Paradise" Brueghel, each reflecting a different aspect of his versatile artistic output. His monikers refer to his skill in rendering fabrics, his specialization in flower still lifes, and his creation of the paradise landscape genre, respectively.
After early training in Brussels, possibly under the guidance of his grandmother Mayken Verhulst, and further studies in Antwerp, Brueghel ventured to Italy, where he worked in Rome under the patronage of Cardinal Ascanio Colonna and met influential artists like Paul Bril. His Italian sojourn greatly influenced his style, especially in landscape painting. Upon returning to Antwerp, he established a flourishing workshop and became a master in the Guild of St. Luke. Brueghel's collaborations with Peter Paul Rubens are among the most celebrated in art history, showcasing a harmonious blend of landscape and figure painting.
Jan Brueghel the Elder's works are prized for their vibrant depiction of nature and meticulous attention to detail. His landscapes are not just backdrops but are lively settings filled with rich narratives and a variety of creatures, reflecting his deep appreciation for the natural world. His flower pieces are equally renowned for their variety and realism, often serving as allegorical or symbolic representations.
Brueghel's legacy extends beyond his paintings; he was a pivotal figure in the Antwerp artistic community, serving as dean of the Guild of St. Luke and court painter to the Archduke Albert of Austria and the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain. His influence continued through his children, with his son Jan Brueghel the Younger continuing his workshop and maintaining the family's artistic traditions.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Jan Brueghel the Elder's works represent a high point in Flemish Baroque art, offering a glimpse into the era's aesthetic values and the artist's profound observation of the world around him. His paintings, found in museums and galleries worldwide, continue to captivate audiences with their beauty and depth.
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Guiliam Gabron, or Willem Gabron, was a Flemish Baroque still life painter, who worked in a wide range of genres including fruit pieces, vanitas still lifes, flower still lifes, game pieces and breakfast pieces. Gabron was also a gifted animalier and often included living animals in his still life scenes. He initially worked in a monochrome style but developed a more colourful palette after a long stay in Italy.
Frans Hals was a Dutch painter who painted during the so-called Golden Age. He is considered to be one of the most important old Dutch masters. As far as is known, Frans Hals worked all his life in Haarlem and became best known for his lively and colourful paintings of his contemporaries.
Peter Paul Rubens was a distinguished Flemish Baroque painter, renowned for his dynamic, vibrant, and sensuous paintings. Born on June 28, 1577, in Siegen, Westphalia, Germany, Rubens' family moved back to Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium) after his father's death. He was raised in his mother’s Roman Catholic faith and received a classical education. He began his artistic training in 1591 and later traveled to Italy, where he was profoundly influenced by Renaissance masters like Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. This experience significantly shaped his artistic style.
Rubens' art is celebrated for its emphasis on movement, color, and sensuality. He was particularly skilled in depicting religious and mythological scenes, portraits, and landscapes. Some of his notable works include "The Descent from the Cross" and "The Raising of the Cross," which are prime examples of Baroque religious art, showcasing his unique style that blended influences from Italian Renaissance and his own innovations.
Rubens was not just a painter but also a diplomat, serving at various European courts. He was knighted by both Philip IV of Spain and Charles I of England. His diplomatic missions often intertwined with his artistic endeavors, as seen during his travels to Spain and Italy. In addition to painting, he was involved in designing tapestries, prints, and book title-pages. He ran a large workshop in Antwerp, producing works that were popular with nobility and art collectors across Europe. His studio was in his home, the Rubenshuis, now a museum.
His influence extended to his students, notably Anthony van Dyck, and his collaborative works with other artists like Jan Brueghel the Elder. Rubens' work continued to be celebrated for its vitality and influence on the Baroque style, making him one of the most influential artists of his time.
For those interested in the work and life of Peter Paul Rubens, many of his works can be found in museums and galleries worldwide, including the National Gallery in London, which houses several of his paintings like "A View of Het Steen in the Early Morning" and "Minerva protects Pax from Mars ('Peace and War')".
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Gillis van Coninxloo (now also referred to as Gillis van Coninxloo II but previously referred to as Gillis van Coninxloo III) was a Flemish painter of landscapes who played an important role in the development of Northern landscape art at the turn of the 17th century. He spent the last 20 years of his life abroad, first in Germany and later in the Dutch Republic.
Jan Frans van Douven was a Dutch painter of the late 17th and early 18th centuries from the Southern Netherlands, a representative of the Leiden School. He is known as a portrait painter.
Van Douven spent most of his life in Düsseldorf, where as court painter he painted many portraits, including portraits of the Palatinate Elector Johann-Wilhelm and his second wife Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici. He was also instrumental in the creation of the art gallery in the Düsseldorf Palace. The artist accompanied his sovereign on a trip to Vienna, where he painted portraits of the Austrian emperor and his wife, as well as other aristocrats and famous personalities.
Willem van Herp was a Flemish Baroque painter specializing in religious paintings and small cabinet paintings of "low-life" genre scenes. He operated a large workshop and through his good connections with Antwerp art dealers helped spread the Flemish Baroque style internationally.
Johannes (Jan) Wierix was a Flemish engraver, draughtsman, and publisher. He was a very accomplished engraver who made prints after his own designs as well as designs by local and foreign artists.
Together with other members of the Wierix family of engravers he played an important role in spreading appreciation for Netherlandish art abroad as well as in creating art that supported the Catholic cause in the Southern Netherlands. Johannes Wierix is also known for his miniature pen drawings.