Abraham Bloemaert
1798-1840
Abraham Bloemaert (Bloemart) was influential Dutch Mannerist painter and engraver.
Abraham Bloemart was born in Gorinchem (Netherlands). He was the son of the architect Cornelius Bloemaert and initially gained his painting skills under Franz Floris and Joos de Beer in Utrecht and afterwards in Paris over a period of three years.
In 1597 he became a citizen of Amsterdam. In 1611 Bloemart moved to Utrecht he became dean of the Guild of St. Luke and set up his own studio which was regarded as the start of the painting school of Utrecht. Bloemaert had substantial influence on Dutch painting. He was seen as the intermediary between the Flemish and the Dutch art style.
He cultivated portrait painting, history painting and genre painting. He painted and etched historical and allegorical pictures, landscapes, still lives, animal pictures, and flower pieces.
His four sons – Hendrick, Frederick, Cornelis, and Adriaen – all achieved considerable reputations themselves as painters and engravers. Bloemaert’s work was influenced by Caravaggio, and he in his turn was an influence on Jan Both, Aelbert Jacobszoon Cuyp, Gerrit van Honthorst, Hendrik Terbrugghen, and Jan Baptist Weenix.
Abraham Bloemaert died in Utrecht on 27 January 1651.
