Thomas de Keyser

Thomas de Keyser (Amsterdam, c. 1596 - Amsterdam, 1667) was a Dutch painter and architect.

De Keyser excelled as a portrait painter, and was the most in-demand portrait painter in the Netherlands until the 1630s, when Rembrandt eclipsed him in popularity. Rembrandt was influenced by his work, and many of de Keyser's paintings were later falsely attributed to Rembrandt. [ [http://www.veritus.org/biograph/tkeyser.php Veritus] ]

His portraiture is full of character and masterly in handling, and often distinguished by a rich golden glow of color and Rembrandtesque chiaroscuro. Some of his portraits are life-size, but the artist generally preferred to keep them on a considerably smaller scale, like the famous "Four Amsterdam burgomasters assembled to receive Marie de Medici" in 1638, now on display at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.

In addition to portraits, he also executed some historical and mythological pictures, such as the "Theseus and Ariadne" in the Amsterdam town hall, now the Royal Palace. De Keyser also worked as an architect. From 1662 until his death in 1667 he oversaw construction of the new Amsterdam town hall, now Royal Palace. [ [http://www.absofacts2.com/kunstenaars/keyserthomasde1596.htm Cultuurarchief] ]

De Keyser was a son of the architect and sculptor Hendrik de Keyser. We have no definite knowledge of his training, and but scant information as to the course of his life. Aert Pietersz, Cornelis vander Voort, Werner van Valckert and Nicolas Elias are accredited by different authorities with having developed his talent.

In the 1640s, de Keyser received very few painting commissions, and was forced to seek income elsewhere. He owned a basalt business from 1640 until 1654, when he returned to painting. [ [http://www.absofacts2.com/kunstenaars/keyserthomasde1596.htm Cultuurarchief] ]

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has the largest collection of paintings by de Keyser. His work can also be seen at the Louvre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg and the National Gallery in London, among others.

The Stedelijk Museum modern art museum in Amsterdam carries a statue of de Keyser on its facade. A street in Enschede is named for him.

A contemporary namesake of the painter was Thomas de Keyser (Utrecht, 1597-1651), an actor and nephew of Hendrick de Keyser. [ [http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/laan005lett01/laan005lett01_3794.htm Letterkundig woordenboek voor Noord en Zuid] ]

References

*1911|article=Thomas de Keyser|url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Thomas_De_Keyser

External links

* [http://www.galleryofart.us/Thomas_de_Keyser/ Thomas de Keyser at Gallery of Art]
* [http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/keyser_thomas_de.html Artcyclopedia] list of museums with works by Thomas de Keyser