Two Hunting Dogs

Biography of Conradijn Cunaeus ( 1828-1895, Belgian )

Conradijn Cunaeus was born in 1828 in the town of Dendermonde, now part of Belgium but at that time in the Netherlands. He studied art at the Amsterdam Academy where he received a traditional education under the guidance of Nicolaas Pieneman. This classical training and Pieneman’s influence led to Cunaeus painting in a very exact manner, tight attention to detail and brilliant use of light. He was solely a painter of animals, usually within hunting scenes or pure dog portraiture. He never strayed from this subject matter throughout his long and successful career.

1850 saw him gain membership to the Arti et Amicitiae, the influential Dutch artist’s society founded in 1839. This was of particular importance to Dutch artists of the day as it established them firmly amongst the elite of Holland’s art community. Cunaeus held studios in various parts of the Netherlands during his career including ones in Amsterdam, Koudekerk and Nieuwer-Amstel. He exhibited his paintings at various venues in Amsterdam and the Hague between 1847 and 1884.

Conradijn Cunaeus died in the town of Nieuwer-Amstel in 1895. His paintings can be seen today in the collections of the museums of Amsterdam, Groeningen and Leeuwarden.

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