Portraitist Flanders
Raphael Coxie was a Flemish Renaissance painter mainly known for his portrait and history paintings. Details about the life and career of the artist are sketchy. He was only rediscovered as a distinctive artist in the 19th century. He was a pupil of his father and became master in the Mechelen Guild of Saint Luke in 1562. Raphael was a passionate gardener and friend of the Flemish botanist Carolus Clusius to whom he sent drawings of flowers, which Clusius used in his scientific publications. He was active from 1586 in Brussels where he became a master of the local painter's guild in 1605. In the period 1588-89 he spent time in Ghent on a major commission for a painting of the Last Judgement. While in Ghent Coxie also painted a Resurrection of Christ for the monks of the Abbey of Drongen. He is recorded in 1597 as making, in collaboration with Gilbert van Veen, several portraits commissioned by Philip II of Spain.
Willem Jacob Herreyns, the Younger, was a Flemish painter of history subjects and portraits. He is regarded as one of the last painters in the tradition of the Flemish Baroque and the last follower of Peter Paul Rubens. Herreyns’ work was very highly regarded in his time. His religious compositions stand in the Rubens tradition. Herreyns is considered a draughtsman with a precise line, but his work shows a certain coldness and lacks originality.
Frans Hogenberg was a Flemish and German painter, engraver, and mapmaker. He is known for portraits and topographical views as well as historical allegories. He also produced scenes of contemporary historical events. Hogenberg was the author of graphic works, engravings of city views and maps of the first four volumes of the six-volume atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Description and drawings of the most famous cities in the world), published in 1570 by the Flemish geographer Abraham Ortelius. Hogenberg's engravings are an invaluable source of information about urban development in medieval Europe.
Jan Baptist Lodewyck Maes was a Belgian genre painter active in Italy. Maes studied at the Academy of Ghent. He exhibited for the first time at that city's fair in 1810. He won prizes in all the competitions he entered and in 1820 received a grant from the city of Ghent. Thanks to the Belgian Rome Prize received in 1821, he first visited Paris and then went on to Italy. In 1822 he copied works by old masters in the Uffizi Museum. In 1824 he settled in Rome. Maes kept in touch with his hometown and regularly sent works to Belgian salons. He was a corresponding member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences.
Frans Pourbus the Younger was a Flemish artist, renowned for his sophisticated portraiture, who gained prominence for his meticulous depiction of opulent costumes, jewelry, and drapery. Born in Antwerp in 1569 into a family with a rich artistic lineage, Pourbus honed his craft in the vibrant cultural milieu of the time. His grandfather, Pieter Pourbus, was a leading portrait and history painter in Bruges, while his father, Frans Pourbus the Elder, was a significant figure in portrait and genre painting. The younger Pourbus’s artistry was characterized by its attention to detail rather than the exploration of dramatic scenes or landscapes, a style that resonated with the sensibilities of the courts he served.
Pourbus's career flourished as he became a court painter to influential figures such as Archduke Albert and Infanta Isabella in Brussels. His reputation for producing portraits that were aesthetically pleasing to his patrons propelled him to work for Vincenzo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, and subsequently, Marie de' Medici, Queen of France, in Paris. His works are preserved in prestigious collections across Europe, including the Louvre, the Prado, the Rijksmuseum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Notable pieces such as the portrait of Eleonora de' Medici Gonzaga and the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain exemplify his skill in capturing the grandeur of the European aristocracy of the 17th century.
Art collectors and antiquities experts who admire the grandiose style of early European court portraiture find in Pourbus's work a quintessential representation of the era's aesthetics. His paintings, replete with detailed costume and adornment, provide a window into the past's lavishness and serve as enduring artifacts of cultural heritage. For updates on new product sales and auction events related to Frans Pourbus the Younger, signing up for our newsletter is a discreet and direct way to stay informed.
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.
Jacob van der Heyden was a Flemish Baroque painter, sculptor and engraver. According to Houbraken he was a painter from Strasbourg who painted for royalty. According to the RKD he worked in Strasbourg, Frankfurt, and Sweden. and was known for portraits, landscapes and historical allegories. Most of his work that survives today are engravings. He died in Brussels.
Peter Ykens (also spelled Pieter Eijckens, Eyckens and Eykens) was a Flemish Baroque painter and a member of the Guild of St. Luke.
His father was the painter and sculptor Johannes Ykens (1613-1680), who taught his son to paint. In time, Peter began to receive commissions to paint altars in Antwerp and Mechelen, creating many altarpieces. Peter Ykens also painted portraits, including a portrait of King Charles II of Spain, and paintings on historical subjects, made designs for tapestries, and collaborated with landscape and still life painters.
In 1689, Peter Ykens was elected dean of the Guild of St. Luke. He trained about 30 apprentices; his eldest son Jan Frans also became an artist.