Cornelis Pietersz. Bega

Cornelis Bega (1631 - 1664)
Nationality: Dutch
Movement: Dutch School

Biography:
Cornelis Bega was born into an artistic and wealthy family in Haarlem. His mother had inherited half of her father’s estate who was a successful Mannerist painter, and his father was a gold and silversmith. He studied under Adriaen van Ostade and expanded upon his master’s style to create his own dark, psychological paintings. He enjoyed painting taverns, domestic interiors, and villages with ranges of characters. Bega traveled throughout Germany, Switzerland, and France from 1653 to 1654. From 1660 to his death, Bega’s paintings became more colorful and focused on details and textures. He returned to Haarlem and joined the Guild of Saint Luke. Bega probably died from the plague in 1664.