Early Life, Family and Training
Leiden, 1671. Cornelis Beeldemaker enters a world defined by the brushstrokes of his father, Adriaen Cornelisz. Beeldemaker is born into a lineage of painters, the son of a man already established in the craft. He grows up alongside his younger brother, Frans Beeldemaker. The household functions as a workshop where the boundaries between family life and professional training are nonexistent.
The apprenticeship begins at home. Cornelis Beeldemaker studies under his father, absorbing the technical foundations of the trade through direct observation and practice. This familial instruction provides the groundwork for his formal education. In 1689, the trajectory shifts from the private studio to the public academy. He is sent to The Hague to attend the drawing academy, seeking to refine the skills inherited from his father.
Later Years and Death
The final chapter of Beeldemaker's life centers on his movement toward Middelburg. By 1736, his professional trajectory led him to this city, where he sought formal recognition within the local artistic community. He enrolled in the guild that same year, a significant step for a painter establishing his standing in a new locale.
His presence in Middelburg appears to be the final stage of his career. Records indicate he likely died in the city around c. 1737, though some estimates place his passing between 1736 and 1738. This period marks the end of a life spent working in oil, following the traditions of his father and brother.
Questions & Answers
What other names is Cornelis Beeldemaker known by?
Cornelis Beeldemaker appears under the alternate names Cornelis Beeldmaker.
How can I see every artwork made by Cornelis Beeldemaker?
Every work by Cornelis Beeldemaker on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
Is there an overview of all the subjects Cornelis Beeldemaker painted?
Cornelis Beeldemaker's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.
How can I follow Cornelis Beeldemaker's work year by year?
The artist's Artwork Timeline page presents Cornelis Beeldemaker's works ordered by date, year by year.
