The Expulsion of Hagar by Adrian Van der Werff

Adriaen van der Werff, Dutch painter born 1659, Kralingen, died 1722, Rotterdam.

He was active mostly in Rotterdam, and his work consisted mostly of paintings of religious and mythological scenes. He used the precise finish of the Leiden tradition learned from master Eglon van der Neer, and the classical standards of the French Academy. During his life he became the most famous Dutch painter. He won international success and riches. He was considered by Houbraken in 1721, as the greatest of all Dutch painters. This title was held among the critical opinion for about another century. He is now considered an extremely accomplished minor master.

Van der Werff also worked as an architect in Rotterdam where he designed many ornate and very elegant house façades. He had a brother. Pieter van der Werff (1655-1722), was his primary pupil and assistant, and imitated Adriaen's style very closely and made many copies of his works.

Unless otherwise noted, all digital photographic reproductions here are ©Mickey Cox 2001/The Right Image Photography and are obtained from photographs taken prior to the year of publication of 1892. Research is pending and will be posted on the subject artist. Please check back as research will be ongoing for each posting.