Wouter Crabeth I

The recorded working language is Dutch. The field of work recorded is painting. Places of work recorded in the authority are Gouda. Work by Wouter Crabeth I is recorded in the collections of Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Regionaal Archief Rivierenland and J. Paul Getty Museum.

• Name — Wouter Crabeth I • Birth Name — Wouter Crabeth • Born — ca.1510 • Birthplace — Gouda • Died — 1590 • Place of death — Gouda • Field — Painting, Stained glass • Movement — Renaissance

He and his brother Dirk were the sons of Pieter Dirckz of Gouda. They came from a painting family that was employed in the stained glass industry of Gouda. Archival evidence survives today showing orders of glass panes from various Netherlands towns. Wouter's fame began when his brother became head builder in charge at the Janskerk, and he was hired to help with the window design for an ambitious series of windows depicting the life of St. John the Baptist. Wouter probably assisted his brother from 1555 onwards, but he only signed his own work after he took a trip to Italy, which made him a master painter in his own right. His paintings show better skill at perspective, and he often included architectural backgrounds that accentuated this. According to Houbraken, his work gave the viewer the impression of height, while Dirk's work gave the impression of depth. His brother had no children, but Wouter had at least one son named Pieter, who became a mayor of Gouda. He in turn had a son, also named Wouter Pietersz, who became a painter like his namesake. This grandson Wouter Crabeth II also travelled to Italy, like his grandfather did before him. He also had a granddaughter by his son Pieter, named Maria Crabeth, who later married Reinier van Persijn, the painter and engraver from Alkmaar. He would die in 1590 from tuberculosis.

• Illustration — Nativity scene (birth of Christ) • Illustration — Margaret of Parma • Illustration — glass 23 Elijah's sacrifice on Mount Carmel • Illustration — glass 23 Jesus washing the feet of the disciples • Illustration — The adoration of the shepherds • Illustration — Museum Gouda. Resurrecting Christ triumphs over death, sin and evil 1560–1570

The authorities additionally record the headings Wouter Pietersz. Crabeth, Wouter Pietersz. I Crabeth, Wouter Crabeth, Wouter, I Crabeth and Wouter Pietersz. The elder Crabeth. His recorded language was Dutch. He was the child of Pieter Crabeth. One child is recorded: Pieter Woutersz.