Cornelis Engebrechtsz Paintings

Cornelis Engebrechtsz. was a significant early Dutch painter born in the city of Leiden around 1468. He is considered one of the earliest Dutch painters who was influential in the development of painting in the Northern Netherlands and is often regarded as the founder of the Leiden School of painters. His full name was Cornelis Engelbrechtszoon, which means 'son of Engelbrecht'.

Engebrechtsz.'s work was primarily religious in nature, reflecting the predominant themes of the late Gothic period, but he was also influenced by the Renaissance styles that were becoming popular in Italy and later in the Northern Renaissance. Known for his altarpieces, he worked with rich colors and was skilled in creating emotional expressions in his figures.

He was probably taught by a painter from Haarlem, which was a significant center of early Dutch painting. Little is known about his early training, but it is believed that he may have traveled to Italy, which was common for artists of his time to do, in order to expand his techniques and understanding of Renaissance art.

Cornelis Engebrechtsz. was also the teacher of several important Dutch painters, including Lucas van Leyden, who was one of the most well-known Dutch artists of the era. Through his teaching, Engebrechtsz. had a considerable impact on the development of Dutch painting. His influence extended beyond his own works and students since the Leiden School continued to be an important center of art in the Netherlands.

His personal life was marked by tragedy, as he outlived most of his children, which may have impacted the emotional intensity of his later works. Cornelis Engebrechtsz. passed away in Leiden in 1533, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of Dutch painting and as an artist who bridged the late Gothic style with the emerging Renaissance sensibilities.