Cornelis Galle II

Cornelis Galle II was a printmaker whose documented artistic activity spanned a key period of the seventeenth century, specifically from 1627 to 1641. Galle II specialized in engraving, producing a body of work that encompassed formal portraiture, religious subjects, mythological scenes, and book illustrations.

His versatility is demonstrated across various recorded works, including the commissioned portrait Bust portrait of Philip Rubens, in a niche and the noble portrait Henriette de Lorraine. Galle II also executed complex narrative compositions, such as Venus nursing three Cupids in a landscape and the devotional image Conversatio Sancta. Furthermore, the printmaker contributed to scholarly and literary endeavors, evidenced by the Title Page for Liutprand, Opera.

Six of Cornelis Galle II's prints are represented in major museum collections, establishing the historical credibility and enduring appeal of his output. These institutions include the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Today, the artist’s work often falls within the public domain, making high-quality prints and downloadable artwork of his detailed engravings accessible for study and exhibition.