Martin Van Cleve
Encyclopedia
Martin Van Cleve was a Flemish painter, the son of the painter William (the younger William) and was throughout his life closely associated with his brother Hendrick
, who exerted great influence over his artistic career.
The majority of writers on Flemish art agree that Joos van Cleve
was the son of the elder William. Martin studied under Frans Floris
, and at first exhibited a strong predilection for landscape work. Later on, however, persuaded by Henry, he devoted himself wholly to figure-painting. Historical subjects were his favourites, but he also achieved success in genre painting. The latter has been stigmatized as vulgar and suggestive, but while coarse, it reflects the peasant life of the Flemings. After a few early attempts in large compositions after the Italian manner of Floris, he painted small pictures only.
Martin van Cleef painted in the landscapes the figures of many eminent contemporaries, Pierre Gilles and Franz Floris among them, and he continually collaborated with his brother Henry in that way. Henry reciprocated and added to Martin's s figure-pieces landscape backgrounds. On many of his works Martin painted, as a mark, a small ape—playing thus on his name—and in consequence has frequently been called the "Master of the Ape". He was admitted to the Antwerp Academy, and in 1551 became a member of the St. Luke's Guild of Artists
. He never travelled from his native Flanders, and died of gout
at the age of fifty, leaving four sons—all of them painters. According to the RKD, Hans Jordaens
was his pupil.
Hendrick Van Cleve
Hendrick Van Cleve, the brother of Martin Van Cleve, the elder, and of Willem Van Cleve, the younger, was a native of Antwerp. It is not known under whom he studied; but he went to Italy when young, and returned to his native country a good painter of landscapes. His pictures are distinguished by...
, who exerted great influence over his artistic career.
The majority of writers on Flemish art agree that Joos van Cleve
Joos van Cleve
Joos van Cleve was a painter active in Antwerp around 1511 to 1540. He was born around 1485 and died in between 1540 and 1541...
was the son of the elder William. Martin studied under Frans Floris
Frans Floris
Frans Floris, or more correctly Frans de Vriendt, called Floris was a Flemish painter. He was a member of a large family trained to the study of art in Flanders.-Biography:...
, and at first exhibited a strong predilection for landscape work. Later on, however, persuaded by Henry, he devoted himself wholly to figure-painting. Historical subjects were his favourites, but he also achieved success in genre painting. The latter has been stigmatized as vulgar and suggestive, but while coarse, it reflects the peasant life of the Flemings. After a few early attempts in large compositions after the Italian manner of Floris, he painted small pictures only.
Martin van Cleef painted in the landscapes the figures of many eminent contemporaries, Pierre Gilles and Franz Floris among them, and he continually collaborated with his brother Henry in that way. Henry reciprocated and added to Martin's s figure-pieces landscape backgrounds. On many of his works Martin painted, as a mark, a small ape—playing thus on his name—and in consequence has frequently been called the "Master of the Ape". He was admitted to the Antwerp Academy, and in 1551 became a member of the St. Luke's Guild of Artists
Guild of Saint Luke
The Guild of Saint Luke was the most common name for a city guild for painters and other artists in early modern Europe, especially in the Low Countries. They were named in honor of the Evangelist Luke, the patron saint of artists, who was identified by John of Damascus as having painted the...
. He never travelled from his native Flanders, and died of gout
Gout
Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
at the age of fifty, leaving four sons—all of them painters. According to the RKD, Hans Jordaens
Hans Jordaens
Hans Jordaens the Elder , was a Flemish Baroque painter whose religious works are often confused with that of other painters with the same name.-Biography:...
was his pupil.