Who painted Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?)?

Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?) was painted by Gonzales Coques in 1662.

Where can I see Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?)?

Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?) is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?)?

Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?) is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?)

Gonzales Coques , 1662

Portrait of Cornelis de Bie (1627-?) is a paint painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Gonzales Coques. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Gonzales Coques, a Flemish painter active in the mid‑seventeenth century, executed a portrait of Cornelis de Bie in 1662. Rendered on a copper plate, the work exemplifies the formal portrait tradition of the Flemish Baroque, presenting its sitter in a composed, introspective pose. The painting now forms part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts a seated gentleman dressed in dark attire with a white lace collar and cuffs. He holds a sheet of paper in his right hand and a pen in his left, his gaze directed downward as if engaged in reading or writing. The solemn expression and quiet setting suggest a moment of thoughtful concentration, perhaps alluding to his scholarly or professional duties.

Technique & Style

The dark background, punctuated by muted brown drapery, heightens the contrast with the sitter’s illuminated face and crisp white lace.

Coques employed the smooth, luminous surface of copper to achieve fine detail and a subtle tonal range. The dark background, punctuated by muted brown drapery, heightens the contrast with the sitter’s illuminated face and crisp white lace. The handling of light and the elegant rendering of fabrics reflect the artist’s affinity for the refined manner associated with Anthony van Dyck, earning Coques the nickname “the little Van Dyck.”

History & Provenance

Created in 1662, the portrait entered the holdings of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, where it remains on display. Coques, besides his painting practice, was also active as an art dealer, a role that may have facilitated the work’s movement through private collections before its acquisition by the museum.

Context

The portrait belongs to the Flemish Baroque period, a time when portraiture served both personal commemoration and social display. Artists like Coques blended courtly elegance with realistic observation, catering to a clientele that valued both status and intellectual pursuits. The inclusion of writing implements underscores the period’s growing emphasis on literacy and scholarly activity among the urban elite.