Cornelis Bega

Cornelis Bega painted peasant life in Haarlem: taverns, musicians, drinkers and alchemists at work. His scenes are small and intimate, with a few figures in dim interiors lit by soft light.

Born in Haarlem, he trained with Adriaen van Ostade and joined the Haarlem painters’ guild in 1654. He travelled in Germany, Switzerland and France before returning home. He also made etchings.

His Alchemist is in the Getty Museum and his Astrologer in London. Look at the soft light falling on the figures and the details of pots, bottles and books.