Willem Ormea (Utrecht, 1611–1673) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, best known for his still lifes, especially those featuring fish. He matters because, together with his father, he is regarded as the founder of the still life movement in Utrecht.
The son of the painter Marcus Ormea and Johanna van Gladbeck, he probably learned his craft from his father. He was active in Utrecht between 1634 and 1673, and surviving works date from 1634 to 1658. In 1638 he gave the Hospital of St. Hiob a painting of various kinds of fish, and his Still Life with Fish also dates from that year. His output also included animal paintings, marine scenes and fish still lifes, sometimes set in harbours. He collaborated with Adam Willaerts and was influenced by JB Wijtvelt.
He joined the Guild of St. Luke in 1665 and married Johanna van Veen. His pupil was Jacob Gillig. Works such as Still Life with a Basket of Sole (1646) show how central fish remained to his production.
Works (1)
Where to see the work
- Rijksmuseum Amsterdam · 1