Cornelis Le Mair

Selfportrait - 21st Century Contemporary Classical self-portrait of the artist

2023

Cornelis le Mair was born in Eindhoven on July 3, 1944. He is a Dutch painter. A romantic painter, he is famous because of his 17th-century paintings. As a child, Le Mair developed a talent for drawing. After completing high school he went to study at the art academy in 's-Hertogenbosch where he hoped to improve his painting techniques. He left the academy because, in his opinion, free expression was taught almost exclusively. He was advised to transfer to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where the old painter's craft would still be learned. In professor Victor Dolphijn he found a teacher in the art of craftsmanship of old masters. In 1968, Le Mair graduated cum laude in the field of portrait, still life and figure painting. In 1973, Le Mair established himself as an independent painter in an old farmhouse in the vicinity of his hometown Eindhoven. He calls the style in which he works traditional craft. His work is described by art critics as not very innovative. With the general public, however, he is successful and receives many commissions for portraits. He has also arranged exhibitions in galleries and museums that attract many visitors. In addition to his profession, painting portraits, figures, still lifes and single landscapes, he is involved in periods with architecture, making images, building musical instruments and making furniture. He also has several publications on painting to his name.