A prosperous upbringing in Dordrecht shaped the early life of Nicolaes Maes, who emerged from a mid-17th century apprenticeship under Rembrandt to become a defining figure of Dutch art. While his initial career focused on biblical narratives and intimate genre scenes, his output evolved significantly as he transitioned toward society portraiture to meet shifting market demands.
Early Training and Rembrandt
Born in 1634 to a cloth merchant and soap boiler, Maes sought professional training in his hometown before relocating to Amsterdam around 1648. He spent approximately five years studying within Rembrandt’s studio. By 1653, he had established himself as an independent artist in Dordrecht, where he married Adriana Brouwers, the widow of the preacher Arnoldus de Gelder.
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During the 1650s, Maes gained recognition for genre works that combined Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro techniques with domestic subject matter. These compositions often emphasized moral virtues, depicting scenes of prayer, needlework, or charity. Works such as 'The virtuous woman' and depictions of doorstep transactions demonstrated his ability to imbue everyday domestic tasks with a sense of solemn, religious-inflected dignity.
Shift to Portraiture
Following travel to Antwerp to study Flemish masters like Rubens and van Dyck, Maes transitioned almost exclusively to portrait painting by the 1660s. After the economic instability caused by the 1672 'Disaster Year', he relocated to Amsterdam in 1673. In this competitive urban market, he flourished as a society portraitist, securing commissions from prosperous burghers and maintaining a high social status that included serving as a lieutenant in the civic guard.
Legacy and Final Years
Despite his long residency in Amsterdam, Maes never attained full citizenship, registering only as a resident with the Guild of Saint Luke in 1688. He achieved substantial financial security, leaving behind a significant estate that included five houses across Dordrecht and Amsterdam. He died in 1693, suffering from gout in his final years, and was buried alongside his wife in the Oude Kerk.
Fast facts
- Born: 1634, Dordrecht
- Died: 1693, Amsterdam
- Primary Occupations: Painter
- Notable Works: Portrait of Jacob Trip, Portrait of Cornelis ten Hove, Portrait of Catharina Dierquens
- Teacher: Rembrandt
- Religion: Reformed Christianity
- Burial Site: Oude Kerk
Questions readers ask
What major shift occurred in his career style?
After mastering genre scenes and religious subjects early in his career, he focused almost exclusively on portraiture during his final three decades.
How successful was he as a painter?
He was highly successful, accumulating significant wealth in cash and property and becoming the leading portraitist in Amsterdam during the 1670s and 1680s.
Achievements
- Notable work: Portrait of Jacob Trip
- Notable work: Portrait of Cornelis ten Hove
- Notable work: Portrait of Catharina Dierquens
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