The Life and Identity of Cornelis Verbeeck Cornelis Verbeeck was a painter of the Dutch Golden Age, a man whose life was as much defined by the turbulent waters he painted as by the temperament he possessed in his private affairs. Born in Haarlem around 1590, he would eventually become known by the alternative name Cornelis Verbeecq. While his artistic presence was firmly established within the maritime traditions of the Netherlands, his personal reputation was marked by a certain volatility. He was often referred to as Smit, a nickname earned through his involvement in several fights and br…