Cornelis Norbertus Gysbrechts

Background

Cornelis Gysbrechts was born in 1630, in Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium.

Career

Unfortunately, there are only a few data on Gijsbrechts life. His first known painting was dated from 1657. He was probably in Germany in the early 1660s, among other places in Regensburg, where he might have been in Emperor Leopold I’s service, but that was not known for a fact. Around 1664 and 1665, it is presumed that Gijsbrechts went to Hamburg where he stayed for a few years.

Cornelis Norbertus Gysbrechts came to Denmark at the latest in 1668, and here he was hired as a court artist by the autocratic Danish king Frederik III between 1668 – 1670, and hereafter by Christian V from 1670 to 1672. He also had his studio in The Royal Garden by Rosenborg Castle and from 1670 he called himself Court painter.

During his four years in Copenhagen, Gijsbrechts painted about 22 trompe l’oeil paintings out of which ten are found in the collection of The National Gallery of Denmark. Only about 70 works can with certainty be attributed to Gijsbrechts, and is it therefore quite remarkable that 22 of those are found in Copenhagen today. Besides the works at The National Gallery of Denmark, two works are found at Rosenborg Castle, and one at The Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle. The collection in Copenhagen is viewed as the largest and most important Gijsbrechts collection in the world.

During the period of 1670 – 1672 Cornelis received payment for several paintings, including paintings for Rosenborg Castle. After having left Copenhagen, he is believed to have been in Stockholm, where he painted a large letter rack commissioned by the bourgeoisie of the town in 1673. In 1675, he was once again in Germany and that was also the year in which his last known work was made. Hereafter, very little is known of his activities. The artist died after 1675.

Achievements

• Cornelis Gysbrechts was highly famous for his paintings "Quodlibet", "Fruit still life ease", and "Memento Mori."

Works

More photos

• painting

  • A trompe l'oeil of an open glazed cupboard door, with numerous papers and objects

  • Nature morte aux poissons

  • Vanitas

  • Trompe l'oeil with violin, painter's implements and self-portrait

  • Trompe l'oeil with Studio Wall and Vanitas Still Life

  • Trompe l'oeil. A Cabinet in the Artist's Studio

  • Still-Life with Self-Portrait

  • Quodlibet

  • Silverware in an Open Cabinet

  • Trompe l'oeil

Membership

In 1659 - 1660 Cornelis became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke.

Interests

• Artists

  Jan Davidsz de Heem

Connections

Cornelis Norbertus Gysbrechts was married to Anna Moons, with whom he had a son Franciscus Gijsbrechts, who was also a painter.

Spouse:

Anna Moons

Son:

Franciscus Gijsbrechts