Artist

Michiel Sweerts

Portrait of Michiel Sweerts
Portrait of Michiel Sweerts

Dutch, 1618–1664

Michiel Sweerts was a Dutch Flemish Baroque painting painter. 28 works are cataloged here, principally at Rijksmuseum, most of them oil paintings. Michiel Sweerts was born in Brussels.

Michiel Sweerts or Michael Sweerts (29 September 1618 – 1 June 1664) was a Flemish painter and printmaker of the Baroque period, who is known for his allegorical and genre paintings, portraits and tronies. The artist led an itinerant life and worked in Rome, Brussels, Amsterdam, Persia and India (Goa). While in Rome Sweerts became linked to the group of Dutch and Flemish painters of low-life scenes known as the Bamboccianti.

Sweerts' contributions to the Bamboccianti genre display generally greater stylistic mastery and social-philosophical sensitivity than the other artists working in this manner. While he was successful during his lifetime, Sweerts and his work fell into obscurity until he was rediscovered in the 20th century as one of the most intriguing and enigmatic artists of his time.

Works by Michiel Sweerts

Collections represented

All 16 museums →

Catalog records compiled from museum open-access collections; the artworks shown are in the public domain. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.