Catharina van Hemessen

Catharina van Hemessen (1528 - after 1567) was a pioneer of European art. Having been born into an Antwerp family of painters, she created a small but impressive body of work. You can discover her work at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels (RMFAB) and at the Snijders&Rockox House in Antwerp.

A pioneer from Antwerp

In the right place at the right time, Catharina van Hemessen was born in Antwerp in 1528. Back then, the city was the most important trade metropolis in north-western Europe. During that Golden Age, Antwerp was also experiencing its artistic heyday. Hundreds of artists were working in the city. The Van Hemessen family played an important role in this. Jan Sanders van Hemessen, Catharina’s father, was a prominent painter and dean of the St. Luke’s Guild. The Flemish Master Pieter Bruegel the Elder was also part of that society.

From an early age, Catharina’s talent was obvious. At twenty, she painted a beautiful portrait of herself as an artist, complete with easel, brushes and a palette in hand. This was a brilliant and innovative inspiration. Catherina was the first European artist ever to depict themselves this way. “Self-Portrait at the Easel” from 1548 can be found at the Kunstmuseum Basel.

Catharina van Hemessen, Vrouwenportret (1549), Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van België, Brussel, foto Grafisch Buro Lef_© KMSKB foto Grafisch Buro Lefevre Heule

A strong woman in a man’s world

That remarkable self-portrait was not her final innovation. Catharina van Hemessen is also the first female artist from our region, of whom signed works have survived to this day. That is an impressive feat, given the fact that, at that time, painting was primarily a male affair. Determined and with exceptional finesse, she continued to build her small but rock-solid oeuvre. She signed her paintings with pride and was already attracting appreciation from connoisseurs at home and abroad.

Catharina van Hemessen Portret van een jonge dame met haar hond Collectie Vlaamse Gemeenschap_© Museum Snijders&Rockox foto C

Catherina van Hemessen in Flanders

Today, around twenty of her paintings have been preserved, some of which are on display in Flanders.

At the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels (RMFAB), you can admire two of her works: Portrait of a Man and Portrait of a Woman.

The Snijders&Rockox House in Catherina’s home city of Antwerp also has two of her paintings on display. There you can discover the Lamentation of Christ and Portrait of a Young Woman and Her Dog.

Not at home? Don’t panic ...
You’re never far away ...

Flemish masterpieces enjoy worldwide fame. For that reason, certain masterpieces are sometimes sent out of the country to be included in exhibitions in well-known museums abroad. But even then, there is always a wealth of masterpieces to discover in Flanders: in our museums and cities and at our heritage sites. This was the place where the Flemish Masters lived and worked and where they found the inspiration for their masterpieces.