Paulus Moreelse

Paul Janszoon Moreelse (* 1571 in Utrecht, † March 19, 1638 ) was a Dutch portrait and history painter of the Golden Age of the Netherlands. His style was based on the Caravaggio. His son was the painter Johan Moreelse.

Moreelse began his career as an apprentice painter of the Delft painter Michiel Janszoon van Miereveld. After a trip to Italy (1596 ), he returned to Utrecht in and painted mainly portraits (1602 ) by contemporaries and colleagues as well as representatives of the aristocracy, such as the portrait of the Duke Christian of Brunswick -Wolfenbüttel or the Utrecht family van Voorst. He was instrumental in setting up the painters' guild " Sint Lucas " in his hometown, the first elected President he was. After 1620, he concentrated on religious and mythological themes. In addition to his painting activity he was also politically active ( as a councilor ) and an architect ( designed, among other things, the then Katharinentor in Utrecht). He was also involved in the 1636 founding of the University of Utrecht. His works were at that time very much in demand as collector's items.

Works

• "Portrait of a four year old boy with bat and ball " ( 1611)
• "Pan playing his flute "
• "Portrait of Duke Christian of Brunswick- Wolfenbüttel " ( 1619)
• " The blonde shepherdess " ( 1624)
• " Young lady in black robe " ( 1626 )
• "Portrait of a shepherd boy " ( 1627 )
• "Portrait of Lucas van Voorst " ( 1628)
• "Portrait of Catharina van Voorst " ( 1628)
• " Vertumnus and Pomona " (ca. 1630)
• " Venus, two pigeons feeding "