Who painted Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts?

Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts was painted by Cornelis de Vos in 1627.

Where can I see Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts?

Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts?

Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts?

Museum-quality prints of Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts

Cornelis de Vos , 1627

Barthel Van den Berghe and his Wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelis de Vos. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

The woman is on the right, dressed in a black dress with a gold bodice and a white collar, her hair pulled back.

This painting depicts a man and woman, likely a couple, in a formal setting. The man sits on the left, wearing a black robe with a large white collar and a dark mustache. He has a book in front of him and rests his hand on the armrest.

The woman is on the right, dressed in a black dress with a gold bodice and a white collar, her hair pulled back. Both figures have serious expressions.

The background is dark, with a subtle landscape visible behind the couple. The overall atmosphere is somber and formal, suggesting a portrait from the 17th century. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the figures.

To learn more about the artist's techniques and style, explore the work of Cornelis de Vos.

Overview

Cornelis de Vos, a prominent Flemish painter active in early‑17th‑century Antwerp, executed the oil portrait of Barthel Van den Berghe and his wife Elisabeth Hoegaerts around 1627. The work presents the couple in formal dress against a subdued backdrop, employing the chiaroscuro typical of the period’s Baroque portraiture. It now belongs to the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows the husband seated on the left, clothed in a black robe with a wide white ruff, his hand resting on the arm of the chair and a book placed before him, suggesting literacy or civic status. Beside him, Elisabeth appears in a black gown with a gold‑embroidered bodice and a matching white collar, her hair neatly arranged. Their solemn expressions convey the dignified self‑presentation expected of affluent citizens in the Dutch‑Flemish milieu.

Technique & Style

De Vos employs a restrained palette of deep blacks and muted earth tones, allowing the luminous white collars to draw attention to the figures’ faces. The use of strong light falling from the left creates a three‑dimensional modeling of flesh and fabric, while the dark, almost invisible landscape behind them recedes, enhancing the sense of depth. The brushwork balances fine detail in the textiles with broader, softer strokes in the background, a hallmark of Flemish Baroque portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created during a prolific phase of de Vos’s career, the portrait reflects his reputation for intimate family depictions and his connections with Antwerp’s artistic network, including collaborations with Peter Paul Rubens. The painting entered the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of Flemish Baroque portraiture.