Jan Joseph Horemans The Elder (antwerp, 16 August 1682 - Antwerp, 1759), Capriccio With Figures

Jan Joseph Horemans the Elder (Antwerp, 16 August 1682 - Antwerp, 1759)

Capriccio with figures

Oil on copper, cm 29x42,5

Signed on the basis of the fountain on the right

Jan Joseph Horemans the Elder (16 August 1682, Antwerp - 1759, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter specializing in genre scenes, portraits and, to a lesser extent, historical subjects. He is often called "the old man" to distinguish him from his son, Jan Joseph Horemans the Younger, also a very successful painter. Born into a family of artists, Horemans learned the first rudiments of painting probably from his father, Jan Horemans. However, his most significant training was in the workshop of Jan van Puyenbroeck. This apprenticeship was crucial to develop his style and technique. Horemans became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp in 1706, which marked the official recognition of his artistic activity. His career focused mainly on painting genre scenes that depicted the daily life of the bourgeoisie and the people. His paintings often show domestic interiors, scenes from taverns, artists' shops and moments of leisure. His works are characterized by a meticulous attention to detail, a balanced composition and a bright and vibrant color palette. Horemans was skilled at capturing the expressions and interactions between the characters, giving his scenes a sense of animation and storytelling. Its interiors are often rich in everyday objects, fashionable clothes for the time and architectural details that help to create a realistic and engaging atmosphere. Although his main production consisted of genre scenes, Horemans also made portraits, demonstrating a good ability in making the physiognomies and clothes of his subjects.