Christoffel Jacobsz van der Laemen

Christoffel Jacobsz van der Laemen (c. 1607–c. 1652) was the son of Jacob van der Laemen, a painter and art dealer from Antwerp, and trained with him. His birthplace is uncertain, with Antwerp and Brussels both proposed. He was registered in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1636–37 and took Hieronymus Janssens as his pupil the following year. He died between September 1651 and September 1652. He specialised in merry company scenes: elegant figures playing cards and backgammon, dancing, making music, eating and drinking in fine rooms, inns and gardens. His handling is quick and loose, with thick impasto and soft contours. He returned often to the prodigal son, combining the young man spending his money on drink, gambling and women in the foreground with his expulsion from a brothel behind. Here: The prodigal son among courtesans.