
Christiaen van Couwenbergh, (8 July 1604 – 4 July 1667)[1] was aDutch Golden Age painter.
Couwenbergh was born inDelft. His father Gillis was a silversmith, engraver, and art dealer fromMechelen. Gillis had moved to Delft before 1604 where he married Adriaantje Vosmaer, the sister of the flower painterJacob Vosmaer.[1] Christiaen learned to paint fromJohan van Nes,[2] and then entered theGuild of St. Luke in Delft in 1627. He then travelled back and forth to Italy. After his return, he settled inThe Hague where he joined theConfrerie Pictura in 1647 and became deacon in 1649.[1] He specialized in large historical allegories as wall decorations, often with life-sized nudes. He not only painted, but also produced drawings and designs for tapestries. His patrons wereFrederick Henry, Prince of Orange, among other royal admirers, for wall decorations atHuis ter Nieuwburg,Huis ten Bosch andHuis Honselaarsdijk. QueenChristina of Sweden purchased a series of tapestries designed by him.
He later moved to Cologne between 1654 and 1656, where he later died.[1][2] He is known for portraits and historical allegories and is judged to be one ofthose influenced by Caravaggio.[1]