Jan van Haensbergen was a Dutch Golden Age painter. He was registered in the Utrecht Guild of St. Luke in 1668 and in 1669 he was registered in the Confrerie Pictura in The Hague, where he married Johanna van Heusden and worked on portraits for the elite there. According to Houbraken he was born in Utrecht. Because he signed a few paintings with 'Joh. Haensbergh Gorco fecit', which led some art historians to conclude he was from Gorinchem and others that he worked there for a while. He was a student of Cornelius van Poelenburgh, and though he was quite successful in imitating his master's style of landscape painting, he switched to portraits since he could make a comfortable living making flattering ladies portraits that made their skin look whiter. He became active as an art dealer, probably aided by his appointment as headman of the confrerie, where he also gave lessons, though only his son Willem Johan van Haensbergen (1680-1755), born after his second marriage to Sophia van der Snouck in 1679, is listed as his pupil. According to Houbraken, Haensbergen became an art dealer in The Hague with a man named 'De Jode', who was 'Drost van 't Haagse Hof'. He may have meant the Baljuw Adriaan Rosa, a wealthy magistrate from The Hague whose brother Johan was consulted in valuing paintings for estate inventories. Houbraken mentioned this same 'De Jode' in his biographical sketch of the landscape painter Jan Both, a collaborator with Poelenburgh who Haensbergen probably knew personally. Houbraken remarked on the beauty of a large painting 6 feet high of Argus Panoptes and Mercury that he had once seen himself in De Jode's collection. His landscapes show the influence of Poelenburgh and his portraits show the influence of Caspar Netscher.

Biography and Artistic Career

Johannes Van Haensbergen, a prominent figure in the Dutch Golden Age, was born in 1642 in either Gorinchem or Utrecht, Netherlands. His artistic journey is marked by registrations in the Utrecht Guild of St. Luke in 1668 and the Confrerie Pictura in The Hague in 1669, where he married Johanna van Heusden and focused on portraits for the elite.

Artistic Influences and Style

Van Haensbergen was a student of Cornelius van Poelenburgh, whose landscape painting style he successfully imitated. However, he shifted his focus to portrait painting, leveraging his skill in creating flattering, high-quality portraits that accentuated the subjects' skin complexion. This shift was likely driven by the potential for a more comfortable living through such commissions.

Notable Works and Artistic Legacy

- Nymphs Bathing, a notable piece showcasing his skill in capturing serene, idyllic scenes. - Portrait of Maria Duyst van Voorhout, founder of the Fundatie van Renswoude, exemplifying his portraiture skills.

Artistic and Commercial Ventures

Van Haensbergen's role as a headman in the Confrerie Pictura likely aided his transition into being an art dealer, a position he shared with "De Jode," possibly the Baljuw Adriaan Rosa. This collaboration is noted by Houbraken in relation to another artist, Jan Both, with whom Van Haensbergen presumably had a personal connection.

Legacy and Influence

Van Haensbergen's influence on Dutch Golden Age painting is evident in his landscapes, which show the influence of Poelenburgh, and his portraits, reflecting the style of Caspar Netscher. His legacy continues through his son, Willem Johan van Haensbergen (1680-1755), who is listed as his pupil.

• View Johannes Van Haensbergen's Artworks on WahooArt.com
• Read more about Johannes Van Haensbergen on Wikipedia
• Explore the Mauritshuis, a museum featuring Dutch Golden Age paintings, including works by Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt van Rijn, on Discover the Masterpieces of Mauritshuis, The Hague