Michiel Maddersteg

Michiel Maddersteg (* 1662 in Enkhuizen, † 1709 in Berlin) was a Dutch artist in Brandenburg services.

Life

About his life little is known. Scientific publications on the biography are unknown. But because it is set by contemporary authors in the artistic environment of Ludolf Bakhuizen, he has always been treated. Most of the information in Arnold Houbraken, inter alia, he was born in Amsterdam are wrong, but are still used. He should also have died in Amsterdam, actually he died in Berlin. The exact birth and death dates are also unknown. However, there is evidence that he was baptized in 1662 in Enkhuizen. In his Marriage Act of 1699, he is 36 years old. He had married Mary Otter, which a small amount of a packing facility owned at the time of her death, 1743 Bickerseiland. Perhaps this investment, mentioned by Houbraken as merchants Madderstegs. On the wedding acts he calls himself a "painter to the Elector ," and will receive 1000 dollars per year. About other family members or relatives is not known.

Work

Just as his life and the work Madderstegs is little explored. He used the signature " M. M. " in his paintings. The art historical research is surprised at the admiration by Houbraken. He thinks he is the best student of Bakhuizen. In contrast, the art historian look straight in the representations of the clouds clear weaknesses. In the Netherlands, no works are known, and in Germany are the most in Caputh and Schloss Oranienburg.

In addition to this painting art exercise to Maddersteg also dealt with shipbuilding projects. So he left in 1704, a 82 feet long and 23 feet wide build yacht. The design came from him, and was chosen by the King from four designs. He is said to have received for the amount of 100,000 dollars.