Background
Bramer was born in Delft, Netherlands, on December 24, 1596.
Bramer was born in Delft, Netherlands, on December 24, 1596.
In 1615 Leonaert Bramer left on a long trip throughout France and Italy. He settled in Rome, which became his home for some 13 years. In Rome he co-founded the Bentvueghels group of Northern artists, and was nicknamed "Nestelghat" (Fidget). He lived with Wouter Crabeth, a Dutch Golden Age painter, and got into a fight with Claude Lorraine, a French painter, draughtsman and etcher of the Baroque era.
Bramer dedicated a poem to Wybrand de Geest. He resided in Rome until October 1627, frequently visiting Mantua and Venice. In Italy Bramer acquired the nickname "Leonardo della Notte" or "Leonardo delle Notti" ("Leonardo of the night" or "nights").
By 1628 he had returned to his native town, Delft, and there he spent the rest of his life. He joined the Guild of Saint Luke in 1629 and the schutterij. He had many patrons, among them were members of the House of Orange. However, local burgomasters and schepen also purchased his artworks in great numbers. Leonaert Bramer was a multi-faceted artist, who designed for tapestry firms in Delft, painted murals and ceilings, some of which are illusionistic in style.
He painted real frescos in the Civic Guard house, the nearby stadholder's palaces in Honselersdijk, Rijswijk, the Communal Land Housde and the Prinsenhof in Delft. However, because of the Dutch climate they no longer survive. In 1648 Leonaert Bramer returned to Rome for a second time.
In his career as an artist, he preferred subjects of mythological, allegorical, historical or biblical scenes (such as the Denial of St Peter, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam). At the same time, he stayed away from typical Dutch themes such as still lifes, landscapes, portraits and genre pieces. He also rarely painted Italianate pastoral scenes popular with the Utrecht Caravaggisti. Among his artworks, probably the most puzzling series is the one he titled "Straatwerken," meaning "street works." Bramer remained very productive until his death.
Leonaert Bramer was extremely prolific as a painter and also a draftsman. Bramer is especially noted for nocturnal scenes which show an inclination for exotic details of costume and setting.
His artworks were popular among a great number of people. For example, Gaspar Roomer, a merchant and art collector who resided in Naples, owned 1500 drawings by Bramer.
Journey of the Three Magi to Bethlehem
Glorification of the Holy Cross
Abraham and the three angels
St. Peter's denial
The Circumcision of Christ
Christ among the Doctors
Musicians on a Terrace
Peasants by a Fire
The Judgment of Solomon
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
Pilate Washing His Hands
The Adoration of the Magi
Dying vision of Maria Magdalena
The Sacrifice of Iphigeneia
The Fall of Simon Magus
Pashur Smiting Jeremiah in the Temple
Salome receives the Head of John the Baptist
Crucifixion
King Solomon Receives the Queen of Saba
Allegory of Vanity
Anchias Fleeing Troy with His Father and Son
The Betrayal of Christ
Design for a wall decoration
Figures in a Loggia
Jacob's Dream
Joseph and Potiphars Wife
Marcus Curtius Leaping into the Abyss on His Horse
Mors Triumphans
Solomon Praying in the Temple
Soldiers with Horses before a House
Quevedo Sees Chicotus in the Battle
Bramer was a lifelong bachelor.
