She was the daughter of Jan van Hemessen, a painter in Antwerp. In 1556 she was apparently in Spain with Mary of Hungary. Most of the signed pictures are small female portraits.
Catharina van Hemessen
1527/8 - after 1566?
Paintings by Catharina van Hemessen
The Latin inscription in the top right corner names the female artist: CATHARINA. FILIA /IOHANNIS DE HEMES/SEN PINGEBAT. 1552. (‘Catharina, daughter of Johannes de Hemessen was painting [it]. 1552.’).We don't know the sitter’s identity but he was clearly a wealthy man. His belt has gold ornaments...
Not on display
Catharina van Hemessen is the earliest female Flemish painter for whom verifiable work survives – we can see her name here in a Latin inscription in the top right corner. We don't know who the sitter was, but she was evidently wealthy. Her shirt, visible at her neck and wrists, is ornamented with...
Not on display