Galle Cornelis (1576-1650)

Cornelis Galle was the second son of the Flemish artist family Galle, born and died in Antwerp (1576-1650). The printing and publishing house, founded by his father Philip Galle, was one of the most important centers for engraving in Antwerp from the end of the sixteenth century to the beginning of the seventeenth century. Cornelis Galle was an engraver and publisher, like his father. Together with his brother Theodor he visited Rome in 1596 and probably stayed there until 1610. In that year he became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp. Shortly afterwards, he established an engraving school in the city, where many prominent artists were trained. Cornelis Galle's oeuvre includes engravings after his own drawings as well as compositions by other artists. Cornelis Galle often engraved after the work of Anthony van Dyck and other Dutch artists, including Marten de Vos, Hendrick Goltzius and Jacques Francuart. But he was mainly known as a reproductive etcher after compositions by Rubens. C.G. applied a traditional dry engraving technique and style, typical of his father's studio. In the long run, he was unable to produce work that still met Rubens's requirements, but he retained Rubens's patronage as engraver of title pages and book illustrations for Christoph Plantin. (BT)