Skip to main content

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.

to
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
11,123
2,854
2,494
1,437
1
1
Artist: Nicolaes Maes
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

Located in Hagley, England

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

Related Items
Portrait Ferdinando II Sustermans Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Portrait Ferdinando II Sustermans Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master

Portrait Ferdinando II Sustermans Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Giusto (or Justus) Sustermans (Antwerp, 1597 – Florence, 1681) Workshop of Portrait of Ferdinando II de' Medici (1610–1670), Grand Duke of Tuscany Oil on canvas 133 x 97 cm Fram...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Saint Catherine Portrair Guido Reni Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master
Saint Catherine Portrair Guido Reni Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master

Saint Catherine Portrair Guido Reni Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Old master

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Guido Reni (Bologna 1575 - 1642) Workshop of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (full details LINK) Oil on canvas Measurements (cm): 96 x 73 - with frame 112 x 88 This splendid work dep...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Ecce Homo Coxie Paint 16/17th Century Paint Oil on table Old master Flemish Art
Ecce Homo Coxie Paint 16/17th Century Paint Oil on table Old master Flemish Art

Ecce Homo Coxie Paint 16/17th Century Paint Oil on table Old master Flemish Art

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Circle of Michael Coxie (Malines, 1499 - Malines, 1592) Ecce Homo with Pontius Pilate Oil on panel Flemish school 16th-17th century 112 x 81 cm - framed 121 x 90 cm. The proposed p...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Portrait Woman Princess Diziani Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art
Portrait Woman Princess Diziani Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art

Portrait Woman Princess Diziani Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Art

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Gaspare Diziani (Belluno 1689 - Venice 1767) Portrait of a Young Princess (Salome?) Oil on canvas 42 x 33 cm Framed 70 x 63 cm A charming portrait of a beautiful young woman with ...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Holy Family Ramenghi Paint Oil on canvas Old master 17th Century Religious Art
Holy Family Ramenghi Paint Oil on canvas Old master 17th Century Religious Art

Holy Family Ramenghi Paint Oil on canvas Old master 17th Century Religious Art

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Bolognese school of the seventeenth century Circle Giovanni Battista Ramenghi, known as Bagnacavallo (Bologna, 1521 - 1601) Oil painting on canvas (86 x 72 cm. - With antique frame ...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

French School, 17th Century, 'Portrait of the Marquise de Grugieres', oil canvas
French School, 17th Century, 'Portrait of the Marquise de Grugieres', oil canvas

French School, 17th Century, 'Portrait of the Marquise de Grugieres', oil canvas

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

French school, 17th Century Portrait of the Marquise de Grugieres Oil on canvas 26.1/4 x 21.5/8 in. (66.7 x 54.8 cm.) In a gilded composite frame, later production (possible early 1...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Oil Portrait of a Victorian Lady, c. 1850
Oil Portrait of a Victorian Lady, c. 1850

Oil Portrait of a Victorian Lady, c. 1850, c. 1850

$1,480

H 13.75 in W 11.5 in D 1.75 in

Oil Portrait of a Victorian Lady, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

Painted in the 19th century, this exquisite miniature portrait wonderfully exemplifies realism in traditional oil painting. The small artwork is painted in the conventional portraiture style of the Old Masters, and achieves soft realism with fine brushwork and a subdued, neutral palette. The half length portrait depicts a fine Victorian woman dressed in all black with a delicate lace collar and bonnet. She wears a ruby broach...

Category

Mid-19th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Portrait Young Girl Mengs Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Woman Art
Portrait Young Girl Mengs Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Woman Art

Portrait Young Girl Mengs Paint 18th Century Oil on canvas Old master Woman Art

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Anton Raphael Mengs (Aussig, 1728 - Rome, 1779) Workshop Portrait of a young girl with a book Oil on canvas 64 x 49 cm - Framed 77 x 63 cm , Unsigned The work, depicting a cha...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Saint Jerome Oil on copper 16th Century Paint Old master Italy Emilian school
Saint Jerome Oil on copper 16th Century Paint Old master Italy Emilian school

Saint Jerome Oil on copper 16th Century Paint Old master Italy Emilian school

By Giuseppe Mazzuoli known as Bastarolo (Ferrara 1536 - 1589)

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Ferrara school of the late sixteenth century - circle of Giuseppe Mazzuoli known as Bastarolo (Ferrara 1536 - 1589) St. Jerome penitent in the cave ...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Portrait Augustus Emperor Flemish school 17/18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Art
Portrait Augustus Emperor Flemish school 17/18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Art

Portrait Augustus Emperor Flemish school 17/18th Century Paint Oil on canvas Art

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Flemish painter of the 17th/18th century Portrait of Augustus, first Roman emperor Oil on canvas 61 x 49 cm Framed 77.5 x 65 cm The portrait depicts Augustus, founder and fi...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Portrait Mignard Paint Oil on canvsa Old master 17th Century French Lady Woman
Portrait Mignard Paint Oil on canvsa Old master 17th Century French Lady Woman

Portrait Mignard Paint Oil on canvsa Old master 17th Century French Lady Woman

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Pierre Mignard, known as Le Romain (Troyes 1612 - Paris 1695), attributed Portrait of 'Louise Renée de Penancoët de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth and Aubigny (Brest 1649 - Paris 1734) as MADDALENA Oil on canvas 97 x 88 cm In an important gilded frame 132 x 122 cm. Provenance: Private collection, Naples The young and attractive noblewoman portrayed in this painting is Louis Renée de Penancoet de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth and Aubigny (Brest 1649 - Paris 1734), known to have been King Charles II's favourite mistress for over fifteen years, from whose relationship Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond, was born, but above all to have gone down in history as one of Louis XIV's French informants at the English court. The duchess was a very influential figure at court, promoting French interests and often acting as an intermediary between the king, his ministers and French ambassadors. After the death of Charles II this influence quickly came to an end, forcing her to hastily leave London and renounce all her possessions to return to her homeland, between Aubigny-sur-Nère and Paris, where she died in 1734, always remaining in the sovereign's good graces. The peculiarity of the portrait, probably executed after her return to her homeland, is that the noblewoman takes the form of a charming Mary Magdalene, depicted here following her renunciation of earthly possessions, her rich robes and jewellery, in order to aspire to heavenly riches; We see her immortalised with her long hair loose on one breast, her intriguing but serene gaze directed at the observer, as she rests her crossed hands, as if in prayer, on the ampulla of perfumed ointments and the open book, both iconographic symbols. The custom of being portrayed in the guise of Magdalene was in vogue for powerful women of the great European courts as early as the 16th century, as it represented the most appropriate image to justify the union of female power and virtue. It must be said that court culture exalted only the positive characteristics of her personality, glossing over or downplaying all references to her sinful past and dissolute life. The work, whose style fits perfectly into 17th century French portraiture, suggests the pertinent attribution to the Baroque painter Pierre Mignard (Troyes, 1612 - Paris, 1695), whose works were highly praised and earned him a great reputation as a portrait painter for the demanding Parisian aristocracy at the time of Louis XIV, and who portrayed the Duchess de Kérouaille on numerous occasions. His first important artistic training took place in Simon Vouet's studio, and he then moved to Italy for over twenty years before returning to Paris, blending his own with the influence of Roman classicism. The elegant looseness of touch and sensual refinement typical of Mignard, combined with a very accurate chiaroscuro rendering, inherited from his artistic training in Rome (which he looked up to the examples of Ferdinad Voet), and the exceptional sweetness of the drawing, the floridity of the complexion and the almost enamelled surfaces, and finally, the peculiar pose of the figure portrayed (the beauty of the two intertwined hands...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

Philip V King Spain Louise Savoy Queen Gobert Paint Oil 18th Century Old master
Philip V King Spain Louise Savoy Queen Gobert Paint Oil 18th Century Old master

Philip V King Spain Louise Savoy Queen Gobert Paint Oil 18th Century Old master

Located in Riva del Garda, IT

Circle of Pierre Gobert (Fontainebleau 1662 - Paris 1744) Pair of portraits Portrait of Philip V, King of Spain (Versailles 1683 - Madrid 1746) Portrait of Queen Louise of Savoy (16...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oil

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

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

By Nicolaes Maes

Located in Aartselaar, BE

Very fine Dutch 17th century old master portrait of a young lady by Nicolaes Maes This three-quarter length portrait depicts a raven-haired beauty, seated in an elegant and mysterio...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of Noble Lady
Portrait of Noble Lady

Portrait of Noble Lady

By Nicolaes Maes

Located in New Orleans, LA

Signed and dated "N MAE / 1691" (lower right) Oil on canvas A masterful example of 17th-century Dutch portraiture, this magnificent oil on canvas comes alive with luminous color, dramatic contrast and extraordinary detail. The work was composed by Nicolaes Maes, an artist widely regarded as the most prominent portrait painter of his era in Amsterdam. Fashionably styled, Portrait of a Noble Lady exemplifies the mature style of Maes, executed with the same artistry and attention to detail he imparted on his most important private commissions. This work by Maes comes from the second half of his career and follows in the rich tradition of the great Flemish Baroque painters Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck. Like these artists, Maes excels at not only capturing his subjects with a technical perfection but also their inherent elegance and grace. The sitter is draped in luxurious white and red silks and pearls, underscoring the importance and prosperity of his wealthy clientele. She is placed against a dark backdrop, enabling a striking chiaroscuro effect characteristic of the artist’s portraits. Maes’s immense talent for detail and composition is clearly evident. In both palette and proportion, it embodies the somewhat austere style preferred by the artist, which emphasized a painstaking study of the costumes, hairstyles and accessories of his subjects. Such elaborate and highly detailed costuming in portraiture was a fashionable way to show one's wealth in the 17th century, particularly among the emerging class of wealthy merchants. Similar works by the painter can be found in the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), National Gallery (London), National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others. Nicolaes Maes was born in Dordrecht in 1634 to a prosperous cloth merchant. Around 1848, he moved to Amsterdam to study under Rembrandt for several years before returning to his native Dordrecht, where he established himself as a painter of genre scenes and portraits. In the 1650s, Maes traveled to Antwerp where he studied the work of Flemish artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens...

Category

17th Century Baroque Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Young Dutch Gentleman by Nicolaes Maes, Oil on Panel, Old Master
Portrait of a Young Dutch Gentleman by Nicolaes Maes, Oil on Panel, Old Master

Portrait of a Young Dutch Gentleman by Nicolaes Maes, Oil on Panel, Old Master

By Nicolaes Maes

Located in Stockholm, SE

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...

Category

1680s Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Oak, Oil, Panel

The Cradle
The Cradle

The Cradle

By Nicolaes Maes

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

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

Category

1870s Old Masters Nicolaes Maes Art

Materials

Copper

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.

Artists Similar to Nicolaes Maes