Gerard de Lairesse
Netherlands 1640-1711
Gerard de Lairesse, a Dutch Golden Age painter and draftsman of considerable repute, was born on September 11, 1640, in Liège, Southern Netherlands (present-day Belgium), and later flourished in Amsterdam during the late 17th century. His oeuvre is characterized by an academic style that blends elements of classicism with Baroque grandeur, contributing significantly to the artistic landscape of the time.
De Lairesse's early life was marked by adversity; he was born blind but miraculously gained sight at a young age. This transformative experience may have influenced his deep appreciation for visual arts. He received his initial training from his father, Renier de Lairesse, and then honed his skills under several other masters before settling in Amsterdam around 1665.
His work spanned various genres including history painting, portraiture, and decorative frescoes. De Lairesse became a leading figure in reviving interest in classical ideals and aesthetics, which were evident in his mythological and religious scenes where figures are depicted with idealized forms and gestures inspired by antique statuary. Notably, he authored "Groot Schilderboek," a treatise on art theory that espoused the principles of harmony, proportion, and the moral function of art—principles that had a lasting impact on Dutch painting.
Among his notable works are large-scale canvases adorning prestigious buildings such as the ceiling paintings in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and Het Loo Palace. In addition to his monumental works, de Lairesse also created intimate portraits that were distinguished by their clarity, refinement, and luminous palette. His influence extended beyond painting, as he was sought after for designing tapestries, engravings, and even stage sets.
Throughout his career, Gerard de Lairesse was a staunch advocate against the prevailing Dutch taste for realism, advocating instead for a more elevated, morally instructive form of art. Despite this critical stance, he earned widespread acclaim and patronage from the elite circles of Dutch society. His legacy is cemented not only by his own creations but also through his disciples, who carried forth his teachings into the next generation.
Gerard de Lairesse passed away in Amsterdam on May 11, 1711, leaving behind a body of work that played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of Dutch art during the transition from the Baroque to the Neoclassical era.
Collection of Works(Page 1)
A Sacrifice To Pales
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 3363 × 4000 px
Allegory of Fecundity
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 3253 × 2684 px
Bacchanalian Scene with Nymphs and Putti
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 2724 × 3237 px
Achilles Discovered Among The Daughters of Lycomedes
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 6000 × 4351 px
Bacchus and Ariadne
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 3152 × 6000 px
Cleopatra’s Banquet
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 6520 × 5106 px
Achilles Playing the Lyre before Patrocles
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 3235 × 3777 px
Arcadian Scene with Bacchus
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 2453 × 3844 px
De tuchtiging leidt een behoeftige
Type: World-Famous Paintings
Painter: Gerard de Lairesse
Resolution: 3292 × 2249 px