Cornelis I Johnson Paintings

Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen, also known as Cornelis Jonson van Ceulen or Cornelis I Johnson, was an English painter of Flemish descent. He was born in London in 1593, to parents who had fled from Antwerp to England to escape religious persecution. Johnson is known for his exceptional portrait work, which was highly sought after during the early 17th century. His style was characterized by meticulous technique, attention to detail, and a clear influence from Flemish painting traditions.

Johnson's early work reflects the detailed approach typical of Flemish artists of the time, with a strong focus on the texture of fabrics and the subtlety of flesh tones. As a portraitist, he was able to capture the character and status of his sitters, often members of the English court and nobility, against plain or minimally detailed backgrounds, which further emphasized the figures themselves.

During his career, Johnson enjoyed significant success and received numerous commissions. However, with the rising popularity of artists such as Anthony van Dyck, who brought a more dynamic and Baroque sensibility to English portraiture, Johnson's star began to wane. This shift in taste led to a decline in his prominence by the 1630s.

In 1643, amidst the turmoil of the English Civil War, Johnson left England and returned to the Low Countries, where he continued to work as a portraitist. He spent the later part of his career in Middelburg, in the Dutch Republic, where he continued to paint until his death in 1661. Despite his fall from favor in England, Johnson's work is still recognized for its quality and contribution to the art of portraiture, and his paintings can be found in various museums and private collections around the world.