PHILIP

See also:

• PHILIP WOUWERMAN (1618-1668)

WOUWERMAN (1618-1668)  , Dutch painter of battle and hunting scenes, was born at Haarlem in May 1619 . He learned the elements of his art from his father, Paul Joosten Wouwerman, an historical painter of moderate ability, and he then studied with the landscape painter, Jan Wynants (162o–1679) . Returning to Haarlem, he became a member of its gild of painters in 1642, and there he died in May 1668 . About Boo pictures were enumerated in John Smith's Catalogue raisonne (184o) as the work of Philip Wouwerman, and in C . Hofstede de Groot's enlarged Catalogue, vol. ii . (loop), the number exceeds 1200; but probably many of these are the productions of his brothers Peter (1623–1682) and Jan (1629–1666), and of hismany other imitators . His authentic works are distinguished by great spirit and are infinitely varied, though dealing recurrently with cavalry battle-pieces, military encampments, cavalcades, and hunting or hawking parties . He is equally excellent in his vivacious treatment of figures, in his skilful animal painting, and in his admirable and appropriate landscape backgrounds . Three different styles have been observed as characteristic of the various periods of his art . His earlier works are marked by the prevalence of a foxy-brown colouring, and by a tendency to angularity in draughtsmanship; the productions of his middle period have greater purity and brilliancy; and his latest and greatest pictures possess more of force and breadth, and are full of a delicate silvery-grey tone . See the Catalogue raisonne of the works of the most eminent Dutch and Flemish Painters of the 17th Century, by De Groot, vol. ii . (1909), referred to above .