Carl Wilhelm de Hamilton Paintings

Carl Wilhelm de Hamilton was a Flemish painter known for his skillful work in still lifes and particularly for his depictions of forest floor scenes, game pieces, and hunting trophies. Born in 1668 in Brussels, which was then part of the Spanish Netherlands, he came from an artistic family. His father, James de Hamilton, was a Scottish painter who settled in the Netherlands, and his brother, Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton, was also a painter who specialized in still lifes and animal scenes.

Carl Wilhelm's early life was spent in the vibrant artistic environment of Brussels where he would have been exposed to the works of Flemish Baroque painters, which likely influenced his own artistic development. He was especially known for his detailed and naturalistic representations of nature and animals, which were highly appreciated during his time.

De Hamilton's work is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a keen observation of nature. He often painted with a dark palette, which helped to emphasize the realism and texture of his subjects. His forest floor scenes are particularly notable for their intricate compositions of wild plants, flowers, and sometimes small creatures hidden among the leaves and branches.

During his career, Carl Wilhelm de Hamilton's works were sought after by art collectors and patrons, leading to a successful career as a painter. His paintings are now held in various museums and private collections around the world, and they continue to be studied and admired for their beauty and historical value.

Although much of his life's details are obscure, it is known that he was active in several European cities beyond his native Brussels, including Vienna and Frankfurt. Carl Wilhelm de Hamilton died in 1754, leaving behind a legacy of exquisite still lifes that offer a window into the natural world of the 17th and 18th centuries.