Cornelis Bartholomeu Cocx Paintings

Cornelis Bartholomeuszoon Cocx, better known as Cornelis Bega or Cornelis Begijn, was a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver. Born in Haarlem in 1625, Cocx was the son of the artist Bartholomeus Corneliszoon Cocx and a member of a family deeply entrenched in the artistic life of Haarlem. He was a pupil of Adriaen van Ostade, a master of genre painting and one of the most influential artists of the time, from whom Cocx derived his detailed attention to the depiction of domestic and tavern scenes.

Cocx's work is characterized by its focus on the lower classes, imbued with a sense of realism and a keen observation of daily life. His paintings often depict peasants, beggars, and tavern scenes, portraying the subjects with empathy and a subtle sense of humor. Cocx was particularly adept at capturing the textures and materials of his subjects' clothing and surroundings, contributing to the vivid realism for which his work is known. Despite the apparent simplicity of his subjects, his compositions reveal a sophisticated understanding of light, shadow, and form, making him a significant figure in the development of genre painting in the Netherlands.

Throughout his career, Cocx also produced a number of etchings, which, like his paintings, focused on scenes of daily life. These prints were highly regarded for their technical skill and contributed to his reputation during his lifetime. He became a member of the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke in 1648, an acknowledgment of his standing within the artistic community.

Cocx's work was influential in the development of Dutch genre painting, impacting subsequent generations of artists. His ability to capture the essence of daily life with both humor and dignity remains a hallmark of his oeuvre. Despite his contributions to Dutch art, Cocx's name is not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries. He died in Haarlem in 1679, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be studied and appreciated for its insight into 17th-century Dutch society and its artistic merit.