Joos van Cleve (or Joost e van Beke) (Cleves, c. 1485 - Antwerp, 1540) was a Flemish painter. He is known for combining traditional Netherlandish painting techniques with more contemporary Renaissance-style influences.
Active mainly in Antwerp between 1515-1530, Joos van Cleve is known mainly for his portraits and religious paintings. Among his best known works are portraits of Francis I and Eleonora of Absburg, King and Queen of France .
He collaborated on some works with Joachim Patinir.
Joos van Cleve's Biography
Joos van Cleve was born around 1485, although the exact place of his birth is not recorded. In several Antwerp legal records he is referred to as 'Joos van der Berke alias van Cleve', his last name being derived from a town called Kleve.
His artistic training began around 1505 in a workshop run by Jan Joest, who helped with the painting of the high altar panels for the Nikolaikirche in Kalkar, Germany.
Joos van Cleve is believed to have moved to Bruges between 1507 and 1511, as his style is very similar to that of the city's painters. He then reportedly moved to Antwerp and became a grandmaster of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp in 1511. He was one of the co-master of the group for many years around 1520, while also training apprentices between 1516 and 1536.
He had two children from his first marriage, a girl and a boy. His son Cornelis also became a painter.
Although his date of death is unknown, Joos van Cleve wrote his will on November 10, 1540, and his second wife was registered as his widow in April 1541.
Joos van Cleve's Works
- St. Jerome the Penitent (1516-1518)
- Annunciation (1525)
- Lamentation (1525)
- Christ the infant and Saint John the Baptist (1525)
- Eleonora d'Asburgo, Queen of France (1530)
- Francis I, king of France (1534)
- Isabella of Portugal, wife of Charles V
- Henry VIII of England (1536)