Aertsen, Pieter
Aertsen or Aertszen, Pieter
(both: pē`tər ärt`sən), 1503?–1575, Dutch painter, b. Amsterdam. Aertsen painted genre scenes (see genregenre, in art-history terminology, a type of painting dealing with unidealized scenes and subjects of everyday life. Although practiced in ancient art, as shown by Pompeiian frescoes, and in the Middle Ages, genre was not recognized as worthy and independent subject matter
..... Click the link for more information. ) that are lighthearted in spirit. He also painted religious subjects, including a few surviving altarpieces. Aertsen is represented throughout Europe.
Aertsen, Pieter
Born in 1508 or 1509 in Amsterdam; buried there June 3, 1575. Dutch painter.
Aertsen, who worked in Amsterdam and Antwerp from 1535 to 1555, was one of the founders of democratic genre painting in Netherlandish art. He combined elements from Italian mannerism (monumental figures, elongate proportions, affected gestures and poses, and dramatic spatial changes) with the traditions of old Netherlandish painting, which brought out the innate dignity of ordinary objects. Aertsen’s genre paintings (The Cook, 1559, Museum of Ancient Art, Brussels) and the genre motifs in his religious scenes (Christ in the House of Martha, 1559, Museum of Ancient Art, Brussels) are often permeated by moralistic symbolism, reflecting the tense religious and social struggle that took place in the Netherlands in the 16th century.