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Nicolaes Maes Art

Dutch, 1634-1693

Nicolaes Maes was a Dutch Golden Age painter of genre and portraits. He was born in Dordrecht, the son of Gerrit Maes, a prosperous merchant, and Ida Herman Claesdr. In about 1648, he went to Amsterdam, where he entered Rembrandt's studio. Before his return to Dordrecht in 1653, Maes painted a few Rembrandtesque genre pictures, with life-size figures and in a deep glowing scheme of color, like The Reverie at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, The Card Players at the National Gallery, and The Children with a Goat Carriage. So closely did his early style resemble that of Rembrandt, that the last-named picture, and other canvases in the Leipzig and Budapest galleries and in the collection of Lord Radnor, were or are still ascribed to Rembrandt. In his best period, from 1655–65, Maes devoted himself to the domestic genre on a smaller scale, retaining to a great extent the magic of color he had learned from Rembrandt. Only on rare occasions did he treat scriptural subjects, as in Hagar's Departure, which has been ascribed to Rembrandt. His favorite subjects were women spinning, or reading the Bible, or preparing a meal. Maes had a particular fascination with the subject of lacemaking and made almost a dozen versions on this subject. While he continued to reside in Dordrecht until 1673, when Maes settled in Amsterdam, he visited or even lived in Antwerp between 1665–67. His Antwerp period coincides with a complete change in style and subject. He devoted himself almost exclusively to portraiture and abandoned the intimacy and glowing color harmonies of his earlier work for a careless elegance which suggests the influence of Van Dyck. So great indeed was the change, that it gave rise to the theory of the existence of another Maes, of Brussels. His registered pupils were Justus de Gelder, Margaretha van Godewijk, Jacob Moelaert, and Johannes Vollevens. Maes died in Amsterdam. Maes is well represented at the London National Gallery by five paintings: The Cradle, The Dutch Housewife, The Idle Servant, The Card Players, and a man's portrait. At Amsterdam, besides the splendid examples to be found at the Rijksmuseum, is The Inquisitive Servant of the Six collections. At Buckingham Palace is The Listening Girl (repetitions exist), and at Apsley House Selling Milk and The Listener. Other notable examples are at the Berlin, Brussels, St Petersburg, the Hague, Frankfort, Hanover, Ottawa and Munich galleries.

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Artist: Nicolaes Maes
Portrait of an Elegant Lady in a White Satin Dress, signed and dated 1669 Maes
Portrait of an Elegant Lady in a White Satin Dress, signed and dated 1669 Maes

Portrait of an Elegant Lady in a White Satin Dress, signed and dated 1669 Maes

By Nicolaes Maes

Located in London, GB

Portrait of an Elegant Lady in a White Satin Dress, signed and dated 1669 Attributed to Nicolaes Maes (1634–1693) Radiant in condition and impressive in scale, this refined three-qu...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of Colonel Rupert Bridge in Armour with a Black Pageboy - Dutch 17thC
Portrait of Colonel Rupert Bridge in Armour with a Black Pageboy - Dutch 17thC

Portrait of Colonel Rupert Bridge in Armour with a Black Pageboy - Dutch 17thC

By Nicolaes Maes

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This large and impressive 17th century Dutch Old Master portrait oil painting with good provenance is by Nicolaes Maes. Painted circa 1680 it is a three-quarter length standing portr...

Category

1680s Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

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17th century Dutch old master portrait of a noble lady ca. 1680

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In late 17th century Amsterdam, no one could rival Nicolas Maes (1634– 1693) in the art of portraiture. As one of Rembrandts most accomplished pupils, Maes explored both genre painti...

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The Cradle
The Cradle

The Cradle

By Nicolaes Maes

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An original hand-colored copperplate engraving on wove paper after Dutch artist Nicolaes Maes (1632-1693) titled "The Cradle". Engraved by English artist Le...

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Nicolaes Maes art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Nicolaes Maes art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Nicolaes Maes in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and earlier and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large Nicolaes Maes art, so small editions measuring 14 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Studio of Sir Peter Lely, Sir Godfrey Kneller, Flemish School, and 17th Century. Nicolaes Maes art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20,386 and tops out at $88,500, while the average work can sell for $50,965.

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