Flemael (Fr Flemalle), Bertholet

Flemael (Fr. Flemalle), Bertholet an eminent Flemish painter, was born at Liege in 1614, and was a pupil of Gerard Doufflest, at Liege, whence he went to Italy, and studied the works of the great masters. He soon gained distinction, and was invited to Florence by the grand duke of Tuscany, to do some work. He went to Paris, and painted for the cupola of the Carmelites, Elijah taken up into

Heaven, and Elisha Receiving the Mantle of the Prophet. He also painted the Adoration of the Magi, for the sacristy of the Augustines. He returned to his native city in 1647, and was employed in many important works for the churches, the first of which was The Crucifixion, for one of the collegiate chapels, which gained him great reputation. Some of his other principal works are, The Elevation of the Cross; The Assumption of the Virgin; The Communion of St. Paul; The Raising of Lazarus, and The Crucifixion. He was elected a member, and subsequently a professor, of the Royal Academy at Paris. He died at Liege in 1675. See Spooner, Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.