born at Antwerp in the year 1566. And died in the year 1631. Octavio Venus drew his picture as you see it here represented 28. Adam Elshamer Born at Francfort Anno. 1574. A person of a melancholly temper delighting for the most part to be amongst Tombs or ruinous places His works though few yet appear to be the product of much pains and Iudgment his painting is strong and master-like He lived not long and died poor yet left a lasting Renown behind him 29. Guydo Rheno A great Dâ—signer and Artist He that sees those fine Prints which were Etched with his own hand will soon find how great a Master he was He was born at Bologne in the year 1574. And died in 1642. This head is after his own Painting 30. Peter Paul Rubens This famous and renowned person who was the Ornament and Flower of Painters not only in the Low-Countries but in all Europe was born the 28. June 1577 at Antwerp of a considerable family upon the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul whence he had his name His first Master was Adam Van Noort one of so ill a temper that Rubens was forced to leave him and betake himself to Octavio Venus by whose good Instructions having attained perfection in his Art he traviled at 23 years of age to Italy where he lived 7 years in the service of the Duke of Mantua by whom he was employed in several Embassies amongst others to Rome to copy some Pieces of the most famous Masters before him wherein he so exactly imitated the Originals that his Copies were exceedingly admired At Rome he made a great Piece for the Church of Notredame representing Pope Gregory and some other Saints but that proving too little for the place it was designed for he drew another and sent the former to the Abby of St. Michael at Antwerp whither he at length returned and where he setled and built a stately House adorning it with abundance of Statues brought from Italy insomuch that it was esteemed the best Fabrick of that opulent City both in regard of the curiousness of its Structure and the Riches of its inside amongst which was a Cabinet furnished with such variety of antient Medals Agates and other choice Rarities that it might vie with any of the most renowned Princes of Europe In fine so great were his accomplishments not only in Painting but in other Sciences that the Kings of Spaine France and England in testimony of his Merits conferred on him their several Orders of Knighthood His most celebrated Pieces are That of the Doctors treating of matters of Faith in the Dominican Church at Antwerp The Elevation of the Cross in another Church there The taking down our Saviour from the Cross in the Great Church Several rare Pieces in the Magnificent Church of the Jesuites The two principal whereof are at the great Altar One representing St. Ignatius exorcising a Demoniack the other St. Xavier preaching to the Indians At the great Altar of the Church of the Cordeliers is an admirable piece of his Christ crucified between the two Thieves as also the Death of St. Francis His Battle of the Amazons is an incomparable Piece wherein the agility and manner of fighting among the antients is represented so artificially as ravishes the beholders But that which added much to his Fame was his beautiful embellishments to the Palace of Luxemburgh in St. Germains at Paris built by Mary de Medicis Queen of France on the right hand as one enters the Gallery is contained the History of that Queens Life represented in 21 large Pieces In which Art seems to have done its utmost to surpass Nature the vastness of its Design being matter of astonishment to the most skilful in the Art of Painting and the delicacy of its stokes with that Harmony and Majesty that reigns over the whole making them despair of ever attaining so great perfection Insomuch that this famous Work has furnished matter for the most elegant Pens of France to celebrate He was in England when K. James I. erected that Magnificent Structure called the â—â—â—quetting house at Whitehall the whole Câ—eling whereof as it is to be seen at this day was Painted and adorned by the hands of this great Master He Died 30 May 1640. at the same place he was born 31. Francis Snyders Born Anno. Dom. 157â— Was the Disciple of Henry Van Balen He painted hunting-Hunting-Pieces Fish Fruit and other Designs Incomparably well for which he was esteemed by several great Princes 32. William Van Neulant Born at Antwerp Anno Dom. 1584. Was reckoned one of the best Poets of his time was brought up to Painting by Savery at Amsterdam afterwards he travelled to Rome and lived 3 years with Paul Brill during his abode there he painted the Ruines of Rome and other Rarities there with great exactness and adorned them with many little Figures and Landskips He also did wonders in Aqud Fortis After he had spent some time among the Artists at Antwerp he returned to Amsterdam where he died in the year 1635. 33. Sr. Anthony Wandyck Was the excellent disciple of that Excellent Mr. Rubens He received his birth at Antwerp 22. March 1593. Had his first Instruction under Henry Van Balen an Italian Painter but having seen the admirable Works of Rubens he left all his Designs to follow this great Master as one whom he judged most worthy of his imitation Rubens charmed with his Wit concealed nothing from him that was necessary to polish him and make him a skilful Artist being far from envying or seeking to nip his budding Glory Whilst he lived with Rubens he painted a great number of Faces among the rest that of Rubens his wife which is esteemed one of the best in the Low Countries He made him 2 Pieces one admirably representing the taking of our Saviour in the Garden the other the Crowning with Thorns Having done these for his Master he travelled into Italy to see Titians Works At his return he made that Incomparable piece for the Monastery of Augustines at Antwerp of St. Augustine looking stedfastly up into Heaven which appears open and all shining with light The Prince of Orange hearing his fame sent for him to draw his own Picture his Princesses and his Childrens which he did to the great satisfaction of that Prince and all that were Curious No sooner did these rare Pieces appear in publick but the most considerable persons in Holland were ambitious to be drawn by the hand of this curious Artist and the Nobility of England and France sent on purpose for him that they might participate of the same happiness and so numerous were they that Van dyck not being able with his utmost Industry to content them all drew only those he had most particular esteem for or such as gratified him most considerably Being arrived in England he was presented to King Charles the 1st by Sir Kenelm Dighy The King not only Knighted him but as a peculiar Mâ—â—â— of his esteem presented
him till he had attained to be a compleat Artist He bent himself chiefly to work upon the like Noble subjects of History with his Master after the Italian manner endeavouring above all to imitate the life to observe all the Rules of Perspective and foreshortnings and to place the figures well and in good order he had an exact Judgment in the composition and mingling his Colours so that wanting nothing that might render an Artist accomplished there is nothing in his Designs but what is great and lofty with all the Embelishments of Art the truth of which evidently appears in all his Works particularly A Bathsheba bathing her self The History of Joseph and his Brethren are very fine also A Venus which passeth for a Master-piece in which and many others he comes so near the elegance and artifice of the Italians that one would think he had been bred up in the School of Florence when indeed he never was above six months in Italy and had no other Master but Floris He died at Vtrecht Anno Dom. 1583. XVI Henry Goltzius Was born in the year 1538 at Mulbracht in the Countrey of Juliers in his youth having the misfortune to fall into the Fire his hand was so burnt and shrives'd that he could never after open it as it should be however after he had endeavoured a little to manage a Pen he accustomed this lame hand to draw so well that his Father hoping he might prove good at Graving sent him to learn the grounds of that Art of Theodore Corenhert This able teacher instructed him not only in the manner of Graving but together with that taught him all that was necessary for him to know both in History and Poetry to qualify him for his business and in a little time with his good management he became capable to sall to work upon his own Invention After this he travailed to Venice Florence and other parts of Italy copying as he went all that he found in the publick Monuments to be rare but at Rome he took most pains where he searched after rarities even in places infected with the Plague to the great hazard of his life At Naples he designed The antient Statue of Hercules in the Vice-voys-Palace and the most eminent Curiosities of the adjacent places amongst the rest the famous Grotto's of Pozzuoli He imitated with such success and skill notwithstanding the lameness of his hand the most renowned Gravers of Europe that he often made his Prints pass for Albert Durer's or Lucas Van Leyden's insomuch that the most experienced Judgments perceiving how they were deceived by his ingenious way of varying his manner of Graving called him the Proteus of the Art The Passion is done by him after the manner of Lucas A Madona in imitation of Durer which he dedicated to the Duke of Bavaria and was rewarded for it with a Gold chain and a Medal He drew a Bacchus with Ceres Venus and Cupid with his pen upon Vellum which is now at Rome and is much esteemed A Faune in the Emperors Closet The taking down our Saviour from the Cross which was sent to the King of Spaine He was no less happy in his Pencill then he was in working with the Crayon or his â—en of which sort his Danae sleeping by Mercury who watches to give Jupiter an opportunity of enjoying her and several others are highly valued Besides his rare painting for which this famous Master has not come short of the best Painters of Europe he has Graven and Published the most noted Pieces of Hemskirk Floris Bloclant and Spranger which are very usefull for those that would attain to any perfection in the Art of Painting He brought up James Matham Peter D' Jode and other fine Gravers that have filled Europe with their delicate Prints XVII Matthew and Paul Brill Were brethren both born at Antwerp and excellent Painters Matthew the eldest went to Rome where he was promoted to be Painter to the Pope and made in some Halls of the Vatican several Landskips in Fresco which were greatly esteemed Paul envying his Brothers renown follows him to Rome and after his death succeeded in his Employ In the year 1682 he made in the Great Hall of the Popes Palace a piece in Fresco of sixty eight foot long representing the Martyrdom of St. Clement who is bound to an Anchor and thrown into a River In the Popes Chamber he painted six of the most curious Prospects about Rome Cardinal Matthio had an Hall adorned round by him with Grotesk work and Landskips and for his Brother Hasdruball he made six great pieces containing the prospects of his Houses of pleasure He has left behind him many rare designs of Ruines and other fancies which have been communicated to the World in several Prints XVIII Michael Mirevel Born at Delft in the year 1568. His father in his youth put him to a Writing-Master to learn to write where he profited so well that at eight years of Age he was able to write more sorts of Hands and much neater and fairer then any Master in the Town His father being unwilling he should lose the advantage which so happy a beginning seemed to promise put him to learn of Wierx the Art to manage the Crayon and the Graver which this young Artist in a short time attained to do with as much perfection as he had before done his Pen insomuch that he was not quite twelve years of age when he graved of his own Invention The History of the Samatan and not much older when he did that of Judith with the Head of Holofernes The applause which these Works generally received animated him with fresh courage and inspired him with a desire to try if he could be as succesful with his Pencill To this end he went into the service of Bloclant and learnt of him all that was necessary to be observed in Colouring by means whereof he became so eminent in painting of Faces that he was lookt upon to be the best in the Low-Countries in that way Of this sort the most esteemed are his Picture of Prince Maurice of Nassau of the then Princess Dowager of Orange and Prince Henry her Son which are of an admirable roundness and the Carnation very natural and lively He sometimes took great delight to paint several sorts of Wild-fowle and the Accommodations for a Kitchen of this Sort there is one in much esteem in Delft His painting was so curious and of such reputation that the Arch-Duke Albert offered him confiderable advantages to draw him to Brussels But in vain for he being a Zealous Protestant was unwilling to live in the service of a Prince of the Roman Communion XIX Barthelomew Spranger Was the Son of a rich Merchant at Antwerp born in the year 1546. He discovered his first Inclination to painting by drawing several figures when young in the Book of his fathers Accounts which though his father was very angry at when he first saw it yet discovering thereby
besides the applause that Crayer received for this rare Piece of work he was rewarded with a Gold Chain and a Medal with a yearly Salary during his life Arch-Duke â—â—â—pold being made Governour of the Low Countries employed him in divers curious designs about the year 1648. which he performed to his entire satisfaction 62. Balthazar Gerbier Native of Antwerp Anno. 1592. Was at first Painter to the Duke of Buckingham and afterward to King Charles I. who Knighted him and made him his Agent at Brussels in the year 〈◊〉 And at London Master of the Ceremonies 63. Leonard Bramer Born at Delft Anno. Dom. 1596. Lived for some time in Italy in the Court of the Prince of Farnese where he wrought several Pieces in great and small for him and Cardinal Schalie At his return to Delft he made several Pieces for his Highness Fred rick Henry then Prince of Orange Count Maurice of Nassait and other Princes 64. Cornelius Poulenbourgh Was born at Vtrecht an admirable Painter in little Fiâ—â—â—â— Beasts and naked Boys which he made exactly to the life was curious in painting Ruines Landskips and Prospects of places for distant In the year 1637. King Charles the first sent for him into England where he made several pieces for him and afterwards returned to Vtrecht 65. Erasmus Quelin Born at Antwerp 19. Nov. in the year 1607. Was the disciple of Rubens a very good Philosopher great designer and Architect and an excellent Master in Painting in great and small and well skilled in Perspective 66. Iohn Casiers Born also at Antwerp in the year 1603. Brought up under Cornelius de Vos a rare Master as appears by his Pieces which he wrought for several Churches for the King of Spaine Prince Ferdinand the Arch-Duke Leopold and other great Princes 67. David Balii Received his Birth at Leyden which place he liv'd in a considerable time and made famous by his Works 68. Herman Saftleven Born at Rotterdam Anno. 16â—9 A very good Landskip Painter At first he Painted Boors both Men and Women Farm houses c. But his chief de light was afterwards wholly in Landskips His usual abode was at Vtrecht 69. Iohn Van Bronchorst Born at Vtrecht 1603. He learned first of some Painters upon 〈◊〉 but they being but sorry Artists he reaped no great 〈…〉 them by his great diligence and observation he became a skilful Master and good Designer as his work manifest 70. Abraham Van Diepenbeck Born at Boisleduc surpassed all that were his Contemporaties in Painting upon glass an Art which we have since lost afterwards he left that sort of Painting to imitate his Master Rubens in other curious Designs 71. Peter Danckers de Ry Was born at Amsterdam in the year 1605. Was Painter to Vladâ—laus the fourth King of Poland and Swedeland 72. Daniel Van Heil Was horn at Brussels Anno Dom. 1604. A good Painter of Landskips Cities and Houses on fire c. 73. Cornelius Iansens An Incomparable Face-Painter and a good Designer in great and small he lived sometime at Amsterdam and in England where he Painted several curious Pieces for the King and Nobility 74. Iames d' Artois Born in Brussels Anno 1613. Where he spent most part of his life and Painted Landskips so rarely that they were esteemed the most pleasant of that kind in Flanders 75. Peter Van Lynt A very good workman both in great and small Figures in History as well sacred as profane Was employed for seven years in the Service of Cardinal Gevasius Bishop of Ostie and other Persons of note Painted both in Oyle and in Water colours He was born at Antwerp in the year 1609. 76. David Ryckaert Born also at Antwerp Anno 1613. A great Master in Countrey-designs as in Stables Barnes and such like Edifices which he made in small these were esteemed worthy the Closet of the Arch-Duke Leopold and other Princes He had an especial Excellency in representing the light of a Candle 77. Nicholas de Helt Stocade Born at Nimeguen 1614. Lived first at Rome and at Venice thence he travailed to France where his Pencil produced such Rarities that he was made Painter to the French King 78. Gonzalo Coques Born at Antwerp 1618. Was brought up by David Ryckaert Senior under whom he improved so much that King Charles the first of England the Duke of Brandenburgh and Prince of Orange took particular notice of him and employed him His Designs are excellent and his pictures in small admirable 79. David Teniers Junior Was brought up by his father a most excellent Painter in small figures and Landskips The King of Spain Arch-Duke of Austria Bishop of Ghent Prince of Orange and other Persons of Eminency bought up most of his Works amongst which that is mightily commended which he made whilst he was Painter to the Arch-Duke Leopoldus of the rich Miser in the Gospel whom he represents carefully surveying his bags of Gold and turning over his Deeds and Writings his wife as carefully sitting by him and scrupulously weighing each Piece of gold that seems suspitious in both is to be seen the effects of sordid Covetousness viz. An anxious care of preserving without any chearful enjoyment of their great abundance whilst Death unseen to both stands behind holding forth an Hour-glass whose Sand is almost quite run out 80. Robert Van Hoeck Born at Antwerp Was by the King of Spain made Comptroller of the Fortifications in the Low-Countries An extraordinary Artist he was in small Figures his Painting much valued by many eminent Persons for their rarity 81. Iohn Baptist Van Heil Brother of Daniel Van Heil a good Painter of pieces of Devotion Poetical fictions and Histories was born at Antwerp in the year 16â—9 82. Iohn Van Thelen Born at Malines Anno 1618 a Person by birth noble a disciple of the famous Daniel Segars of whom he learned to be a very good Flower-Painter 83. Peter Meert A Painter of no mean reputation as several of his Pieces to be seen in the Churches and Halls belonging to the several Companies at Brussels do sufficiently testify 84. Iohn Peters Was born at Antwerp in the year 1624 where he continued most part of his life Painting Sea Pieces Calmes Tempests and Sea-Fights also Townes Castles c. Very finely much after the manner of his brother Bonaventure Peters 85. Iohn Vender Hecke Was a famous Flower-Painter as also of Fruits Beasts Birds c. both great and small after he had spent some time in Italy in the service of the Duke of Bracciano he returned to Antwerp and there ended his days 86. Luke Franchoys Born at Malines a skilful and renowned Painter in great Designs and drawing Persons to the life 87. Charles Van Savoyen Born at Antwerp lived for the most partin Holland an extraordinary Artist in small especially naked Figures which were much valued This Head is of his own Etching 88. Peter Van Bredal Was born at Antwerp Anno Dom. 1630. His Paintings are generally very pleasant and sine 89.
undertaking any little piece for a small sum of ready money so that being forced to excessive labour and yet but little coming of it he began to grow melancholly and having no other comfort but as oft as he could to get to the Tavern with a good Companion and there drown his sorrows in a Brisk Glass which being a Custom he had long frequented he at last drank to such excess that that together with some other hears of youth brought him to his end at the age of fourty seven years XIV Albert Durer Born at Norimbergh in the year 1470. was both an extraordinary Painter and Graver In the Emperor's Palace at Prague is to be seen a Christ carrying his Cross painted by him with much delicacy which the Town of Norimbergh presented to the Emperor also the Adoration of the Three Kings Two Pieces of the Passion in one of which is himself painted with a Roll in his hand with this Inscription Albertus Durerus Noricus faciebat Anno de Viriginis partu 1511. There is also a most ravishing piece of his of Adam and Eve upon which an Ingenious Poet made this Witty Descant Angelus hos cernens miratus dix it ab horto Non ita formosos vos ego depuleram At Franckfort there is an Assumption of his in a Monastery whose extraordinary beauty brings in a good Revenue to the Religious of that Convent by the great Liberalities of people that come to see it altho he painted much yet his chief Employment was in Graving or Cutting Figures in Wood. Neither was he less renowned for some Books which he has published then for his graving or painting Posterity will alwaies be oblidged to him for his Book of the proportion of Bodies His Rules of Artichecture and of military Discipline is esteemed worthy the curiosity of Princes and Generals of Armies He was of that courteous and affable temper that gained him the love and esteeme of all that knew him the Emperors Maximilian the first and Charles the fifth especially signalized their affection to him by many favors Maximilian one time ordered him to draw some great design in his presence upon a Wall which being above his reach and there appearing nothing ready at hand to stand upon the Emperor commanded one of his Attendants to lye down upon the ground that Albert might stand upon his back till he had finished the outlines of his design and left this person should think himself too much undervalued to serve as a footstool to a Painter the Emperor in token how much he valued both the Art and the Artist conferred on him a large degree of honor and imediately made him noble and gave him for a Coat of Arms. 3 silver Escutcheons in a field of azure He died in the year 1628 and was buried at Norimbergh XIII Hans Holbeiu Born at Basle in Switzerland His manner of painting was extraordinary and unusual differing both from the antient and modern way so that it seems as if he had not been excited or instructed by any Example from others but followed the dictates of his own Genius and though it be doubted his way being so peculiar whether he ever saw any of the rarities of Italy or had any Master to instruct him yet nevertheless there is nothing to be seen of his doing but is painted to the utmost perfection as is manifest in that piece of his of Deaths Dance in the Town-Hall of Basle the design whereof he first neatly cut in Wood and afterwards painted which appeared so fine to the learned Erasmus that he requested Holbein to draw his picture desiring nothing so much as to be represented by so Judicious an Hand And perceiving by his rare pieces that he deserved a more plentiful fortune and a more illustrious place he perswaded him to travel to England promising him considerable advantages from the bounty of Henry the eight a cherisher of Arts. Holbem at his request set forward for England carrying with him Erasmus his picture and Letters of recommendation to Sir Thomas Moore then Lord Chancellour of England More received him with Joy and kept him for three years in his House During which time he drew Sir Thomas's own picture his wives childrens and several of his intimate friends and other near Relations which was hung round the Great Hall of his House where the King being invited one day to a sumptuous dinner and at his first entrance into the Hall beholding so many ravishing objects the pictures seeming almost with as much life as the persons they represented who were most of them then present and admiring at the excellency of the Workman sent for him and entertained him in his service upon very advantagious Terms The King manifested from time to time the singular favor and regard he had for him and particularly upon this occasion Holbein being one day busy upon the picture of a Lady that belonged to the Court a certain person of great Quality came to him to see him paint Holbein not being willing to be disturbed opposed his Entrance in a civil manner but seeing he would take no denial but attempted to force his way giving scope to the brisk humour that is natural to those of his Nation he gave him so rude a repulse that the Earle tumbled from the top of the stairs to the bottom at the noise of his fall his Attendants flocked about to revenge the affront that their master had received and mischief would no doubt have ensued had not Holbein jumpt out of the Window and made his escape to the King to implore his protection which he did with so good a grace that the King sent for the Lord and charged him upon his Allegiance to lay aside all resentment and that no violence should be offered upon the utmost perill Some say he added words to this Effect Have a care that no mischief befalls him for though I can make a Lord when I please yet such a painted if lost can never be recovered His master-piece is that of the said King as big as the life and represents his person so lively that this piece discovers the fierceness of his looks and that severity in his Countenance which made him so dreaded by his subjects He made also the pictures of Prince Edward and the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth who successively one after the other swayed the English Scepter He had one thing very remarkable in him which was that he painted every thing he did with his left hand The Plague raging in London in the year 1554 Holbein was seized therewith and died in the Six and fiftieth year of his age XV. Anthony de Montfort Bloclant Was descended of the Illustrious family of the Viscounts of Montfort in the Province of Vtrecht He learned to paint of Francis Floris whose good Instructions he had no sooner tasted but he found so many charms in the Work of that great Master and somuch reputation to follow his steps that he never ceased imitating
1565 and died at Brussels 1570 A person more grave in his discourse and actions then in his works for what Piece soever he made though of seriousness and devotion he could not refrain mingling some facetious humour or other with it which was the common Mark whereby his pieces were known 20. William Cayo Born at Breda beloved of all for his virtuous manner of life he chiefly set himsel to draw faces by the life which he did with that approbation that there was scarce a person of Quality of his time in that Countrey but were drawn by him That of Cardinal Granvil and the Prince of Orange above others are most admired The Duke of Alva Governor of the Low Countries at that time for the K. of Spaine sent for him to Brussels to draw his picture which while he was doing struck with horror as he confessed to some of his friends a little before his death at the bloody resolutions and actions of the said Duke he fell sick of a fever and died the same day that the Counts Egmont and Horne two of the most Illustrious Persons of the Low Countries lost their heads 21. Luke Gassel Born at Helmont in Brabant It is observed that the Italians generally excel in History and great Figures the Dutch in Landskips and small so this our Painters chief excellency lay in Landskips wherein he knew so admirably well how to represent the rugged Rocks the rapid Torrents and the shady Groves giving to all such a delightful Prospect and so fit a distance that his Pieces yeild great pleasure and satisfaction to behold He died at Brussels about the year 1560. 22. Francis Floris Born at Antwerp Besides his great Judgment he was so quick and ready in his designs that when Philip the 2d of Spaine made his Solemn Entry into Antwerp he in one day Painted a large Victory Embelished with Tropheys of Armes and filled with so many other Ornaments that it was thought to be the work of some months and the effect of much labor and study His Pictures had this peculiar Ornament that they were most of them enriched with somthing of Antiquity suited most ingeniously to his Subject as may be seen among many others in his Battle of St. Michael and Lucifer in the Church of Notredam at Antwerp where you see the Devils tumbling headlong from the battlements of heaven into a deep Abysse of flaming Sulphur in such a dreadful and horrid manner as seems rather the work of some infernal Pencil than of any mortal At Brussels there is a last Judgment incomparably done His way of Painting was strong his fleshy colours full of life and spirit his Drapery free yet so artificially composed as to lessen nothing of the proportion or form of the members In fine as he excelled most of his age he would no doubt have excelled himself had he not been too much addicted to mispence of his time in Intemperance and debauchery wherein he somtimes took a pride to bear away the Bell he died in the year 1570. or thereabouts at Antwerp in the 50th year of his age 23. Cornelius de Bie Was no Painter himself but the son of an eminent Painter Adrian de Bie and a great lover of Art and Ingenuity Was the first that began the collecting the Heads of this Book which was afterwards perfected by other hands in memory whereof his own Head is thought not improper to be inserted with the rest 24. Octavio Venus Was Born at Leyden in the year 1558. of a very good Family his Father being one of the principal Magistrates of that City brought up in Learning under Cardinal Groesbeck Bishop and Prince of Liege under whom he profited exceedingly in all manner of polite literature At the same time that he studied Philosophy Poetry and Mathematicks he also exercised himself in Painting by the advice and assistance of Thadaeus Zuchero who foresaw something extraordinary in his blooming years At length he became renowned nor only for his works which he wrote in Divinity History and other Sciences but for the rare strokes of his Pencil which recommended him into the service of the Emperor the Duke of Bavaria and the Elector of Cologne where he was entertained with respect suitable to his deserts He was afterwards employed by the Prince of Parma Governor of the Low Countries for the King of Spaine who made him his Engineer and Painter He was of so excellent a disposition that it being joined with great Learning and Industry made him beloved by all the Court His Picture of the Arch-Duke Albert and the Infanta Isabella drawn in full proportion was sent to K. James the 1st of England Antwerp has several of his pieces in divers Churches He had the glory of forming the mind of Rubens the Apelles of the age He died at Brussels in the year 1625. Aged about 71. He left behind him 2 daughters both excellent in their fathers Art the eldest named Cornelia who was married to a rich Merchant at Antwerp the other Gertrude who hath signalized both her love to his memory and her Pencil by drawing his Picture in the manner as you see it here represented by the Graver 25. Adam Van Dort Was famous for many magnificent Designs which are to be seen in the hands of several Lovers was taught to paint by his Father Lambert Van Oort Antwerp was the place of his Nativity in the year 1557. And of his burial in the year 1641. 26. Abraham Blomaert Was born at a place called Gorcum in Holland in the year 1564. His Father Cornelius Blomaert was a very good Carver and Architect and having in his house the Designs of several great Masters particularly of Francis Floris his son fell to imitating them especially the designs of Floris making a discovery by his own observation alone of the rare secrets of the Art so that he may be said to have formed himself an Artist Among the many rare productions of his Pencil that curious Piece at Vtrecht is very remarkable of Apollo and Diana killing the children of Niobe with their Darts which the Emperor Rodolphus was so charmed with that he would not be satisfied till he got him to make another of the same sort The Count de Lippe had a Banquet of the Gods very ingeniously designed by him in which the Faces of Venus Juno and Pallas are most incomparable That Piece of his must not be forgotten wherein he has Painted to the life all sorts of Shell-fish and Sea-Monsters with Tritons riding in Triumph in the midst of tempestuous Billows and at a great distance Andromeda chained to a rock and Perseus in the Air hastning to her Deliverance Nothing can be more pleasant than his Landskips of which with other of his Designs there are several curious Prints to be seen graven by the hands of Muller Saenredan and others 27. Toby Verhaecht Excellent also at Landskips was one of Rubens first Masters of whom he learnt that sort of Painting He was
him with a Massy Gold Chain with his Picture set with Diamonds and settled a considerable Pension upon him He was a lover of all those of his Countrey who excelled in any Art most of whose Pictures he drew with his own hand and which have been graven from thence by the best Gravers of that time such as Bolfwaert Vosterman Pontius c. Some he did himself in Etching He married one of the fairest and noblest Ladyes of the English Court Daughter of the Lord Ruthen Earl of Gowry whose Father being accused of a Conspiracy against King James the 1st his Estate was confiscated so that he had no great matter of Portion with his Wife but her Beauty and Nobility He died the same year that his Mr. Rubens did and was buried in St. Pauls Church London 34. Gerard Segars Was born at Antwerp and bred up under Abraham Jansens at the request of some great lovers of Painting he travelled to Rome where with great diligence and pains he copied some of the Works of the most famous Italian Painters furnishing his own Countrey with what he found most rare amongst them His Copies were esteemed not much inferiour to the Originals He was so ravished with those miracles of art he beheld there that he could not without great difficulty be got thence till Cardinal Zapata the King of Spains Embassadour at Rome with great importunity prevailed upon him to accompany him to Madrid where he Presented him to the King who conferred several Honors upon him as a Mark of his esteem He so nearly resembled the best of the Italian Painters in their greatest Elegance that when he had finished that incomparable Piece of the Crucifixion of St. Peter some of the best Judgments presently took it to be done by the hands of Michael Angelo Caravaggio Most of the Churches at Antwerp are adorned with his Works He made for the Duke of Newbourgh a picture of the Blessed Virgin which pleased him so extraordinarily that he rewarded him with a Gold Chain and a Medal over and above the full price of his Work He fixed at last at Antwerp where he built himself a stately house and adorned it with a great Collection of curious Paintings gathered from all parts with great cost and industry and there peaceably ended his daies in the year 1651. about 60 years of age 35. Adrian Van Vtrecht 'T is observable that no Town or Province scarce in the Low Countries has produced so many eminent Painters as that one Town of Antwerp where this famous person also received his birth 13. January 1599. His chief excellency lay in Fruit-Pieces Birds Beasts either as alive or dead 36. Adam Willaerts Was born at Antwerp in the year 1577. a neat Painter of Sea-pieces Ports Havens Rivers Ships Boats Barkes and little Figures in them 37. Iohn Bavur Was born at Stratsbourgh a delicate Painter in Water-colours the Duke of Brassignano sent for him to Rome and entertained him in his service as did also the Emperor Ferdinand afterwards He died Anno Dom. 1640. 38. Nicholas Knypfer Was brought up at Lypsick by Emanuel Nysen Anno. 1603. painted all sorts of Figures very artificially In the year 1630. He weâ—e to Vtrecht and sojourned with the famous Abraham Blomaert where he made several Pieces for the King of Denmark and other Princes and persons of Quality 39. Iohn Bylert Was born at Vtrecht of mean Parentage being but the Son of a Glazier yet advanced his own fortune by his great merits and industry His designs are held to be very good his figures were indifferent large and very soft 40. Iohn Van Balen Was born at Antwerp in the year 1611. a good Painter both in great and small had his first instruction under his father Henry Van Balen 41. Rowland Savery Painted Landskips Beasts Birds c. extraordinary fine He was born in Flanders and made Painter to the Emperor Rodolphus 42. Henry Vanderborcht Was born at Brussels Anno. 1583. From whence he removed to Frankendale on occasion of the troubles that broke out in his own Countrey and afterwards to Frankfort He learned to paint of Giles Valkenborgh Was a great lover of Rarities and Antique Curiosities The Earl of Arundel had him in great esteem for his rare Collection of Antient Pieces and Medals as also for his painting 43. Iacob Backer A good Painter in great his Designs are good and his Colours lively a very good Face-Painter Was born in the year 1608. 44. Deodate Delmont Lived sometime with Rubens with whom he travelled to Italy and other parts to increase his experience Rubens when he parted from him gave him a large Testimonial of his Abilities by a publick Instrument He was for several years Painter and Architect General to the Duke of Newburgh and afterwards he served the Arch-Duke Albert and the Infanta Isabella in the like quality until his death which hap'ned in the year 1643. 45. David Teniers Senior Born at Antwerp Anno Dom. 1582. Where having been instructed by such Masters as Rubens and Elshamer no wonder if he became famous in this Art he employed his time principally in Landskips and Figures both great and small He died Anno. 1649. 46. Adrian Van Newlant A very good Painter of small figures and Landskips there are several fine Pieces of his doing extant containing the Histories of the Old Testament His first beginning was under Peter Isaac and Francis Baden at Amsterdam Where he spent most of his life 47. Francis of Padoa An Admirable Painter of great figures very Copious in his Inventions Painted à Face to a miracle as appears by the Pictures of the Earl of Arundel and his Countess drawn by him He lived sometimes at Rome sometimes at Padoa his native place 48. Peter Franchoys Was a Painter of good esteem Born at Malines He died 11. August 1654. 49. Iohn Both A good Landskip Painter in which his Prospects are pleasant the foreparts strong and well coloured enriched with Figures of men and Beasts well designed He lived for the most part at Vtrecht the place of his birth 50. David Beck Was born Delft in Holland Painter and of the Bedchamber to the Queen of Sweden by whose direction he drew the Pictures of the most Illustrious persons of Christendom 51. Gerard Honthorst Born at Vtrecht anno Do. 1592. Brought up by Abraham Blomaert was very good in Designs and in Faces His sufficiency being known to several Cardinals he was employed by them in painting the Rarities that Italy at that time afforded He came afterwards into England where King James the first made use of him in several Designs to his satisfaction In Denmark are many fine Pieces of his to be seen His last employment was in the service of the Prince of Orange at the Hague 52. Thomas Willeborts Bossaert Born at Berghen ap Zoom in Brabant An. Dom. 1613. following diligently the examples of the great Painters that flourished at that time in the same Countrey he fell a Designing when very
excellency of his Workmanship living in much splendor and magnificence keeping both men and Horses in great abundance his House as full of sumptuous and rich furniture as the greatest Lord himself was honoured by the chiefest of the Court reverenced by all lovers of Art and so beloved by the King that he often found him more profuse in his liberality to him then otherwise But behold here the miserable uncertainty of worldly prosperity in the height of all his Gran sure and Felicity of a suddain he fell into a miserable condition by an unhappy disaster that befel him upon this occasion It happened that Rosso was robbed of a considerable sum of money and a certain Florentine that frequently haunted his House as his friend and a great lover of Art was suspected by him of the Robbery Rosso having great Authority caused him to be imprisoned and put to the Torture where he maintained his Innocency with that constancy that procured his Release After which resenting the disgrace with indignation and finding his body mangled and broken by the excess of his Tortures he prosecuted Rosso with all eagerness imaginable resolving to leave nothing unattempted to have his full satisfaction and revenge Rosso fearing the ill consequences of so sâ—erce a pursuit and struck with remorse at the unjust treatment of this innocent person formed a horrid design to make himself away which he did by poison that he got a Peasant to bring him from Paris under a pretence that he had occasion for it to make a Varnish of The poison was so strong that the Peasant had like to have lost his hand in which he carried it He had a great understanding in mixing his Colours and to distribute them in the lights and shadows of his Drapery with such Art that few have been able to imitate them His Carnation was usually very natural and full of life and distinguished as to the Ages and Passions with marvellous Judgment Besides the roundness of his Nudities he gave to every part its proper and regular motion by true observations of the Muscles making it appear he was well versed in Anatomy and other like necessary qualifications of a good Painter He died Anno Domini 1540 VIII Polidore de Caravage Was born in Lombardy In his youth he was in so mean a condition that he was forced for his subsistance to be a Common Labourer to Masons carrying Water and other necessaries towards building the Galleries of Leo 10th untill the sight of some of John d' Vdines Works excited in him a generous resolution to free himself from this unseemly Profession and exchange it for something more glorious A happy occasion presented it self to him for this purpose by the friendship he had contracted with one of D' Vdines Schollars who communicated to him all his Masters good Instructions and he followed his business so close that he soon outstripped his obliging friend and made himself taken notice of for a rare Artist Being more addicted to study greatness of Design than the delicacy of Colouring he associated himself with one Pelegrine an experienced Painter of Modena and they together painted that curious Piece of The City of Rome under the representation of a Woman holding the World in subjecton and to which the subject Nations are presenting their Tribute The Wrestling of the Olympick Games in the Front of the House of Spinoli wherein is perfectly described the strength and agility of Bodies A sacrifice with all its solempnity The death of Tarpeia by the Sabines He also painted near St. Angelo the Triumph of Furius Camillus near to that The History of Phalaris the Tyrant of Agrigentum and the manner of Perillus's suffering the Torments of the Brazen Bull which he himself invented for others Also a Battle after the antient manner full of goodly Inventions Romulus with his plough marking out the Boundaries of Rome The Court of Savelli is adorned by him with the ravishing of the Sabines and the defeat of Porsenna by Horatius Cocles In Mount Cavallo is a most curious representation of one of the Vestal Virgins carrying water to the Temple in a Sieve for a proof of her Virginity another of the unexspected reliefe which Furius Camillus brought to Rome at the very instant when King Brennus was employed in seeing the Gold weighed which the vanquished Romans were to have paid for their ransomes Indeed Italy never had a person that painted more of Antiquity or more correctly then he He thus bestowed his time in Rome for a long space living in great content and abundance untill the taking and sacking of that Town by the Duke of Bourbon and his Army after which he retired to Naples and then to Messina where he still increased so much in Wealth that it proved the unhappy occesion of his death for a Sicilian which he kept in his service casting a covetous eye upon his Treasure took his opportunity in the Night and strangled him with a Napkin and after he had robbed him made his escape for some time but afterwards this bloody Murtherer was discovered and received the due Reward of his Villany IX Iulio Romano Was the disciple of the incomparable Raphael whom he so intirely loved and imitated that none of his disciples came nearer the designs of that renowned person The first proof of his Ability was in those curious paintings in Leo the 10ths Galleries of the Creation of Adam and The sacrifice of Noah Raphael seeing that he wanted nothing of a compleat Painter instructed him also in Architecture and made him the most considerable in that Art next himself and Buonarota and his affection towards him was so great as to make him his Heire both of his Goods and glory leaving his whole Estate to him and one more upon this condition that he should finish the History of Constantine which Raphael had begun in the Pope's Palace judging none fit or capable but him alone to perfect a Work suitable to its first beginning Which he accordingly set about after the death of Leo the 10th under the Pontificate of Clement the 7th Following his Masters design therein he divided the History of this Emperor into four great pieces The first represents Constantine making an Oration to his Army upon the sight of the Cross which appeared to him in the Aire with these words In hoc signo Vinces The second is the Battle between him and Maxentius and the defeat of Maxentius who is seen as he is drowning in the Tiber where he was forcibly carried by his high-metalled and unruly Horse that flounces and makes violent struglings in the Water The Soldiers Armes and military Ensignes are exactly after the manner of the Antient Romans the Patterns whereof Julio took from Trajan's and Antonines Pillars The next is the Baptism of Constantine by Pope Sylvester In the 4th is the said Prince at the feet of the same Prelate who fits upon his Pontifical chair in St. Peters Church which appears in an
a pleasing Variety of several Shel-fish and Sea-Monsters in imitation of those he had taken out of a Temple of Neptune discovered about that time under the ruines of an old Palace Hard by this was another Fountain where Nature and Art seemed to strive which could do most to the perfecting the beauty of that solitude out of the Cleft of a Rock isued forth a Water as clear as Chrystal which falling by a rebound upon certain Jaspar-stones seemed to wash of the spots or rather charmed the sences by the mixture of its Silver froth with the reflexions of stones of various Colours and the sweet murmuring of its falling In the Concavities of the rock were certain little Isicles in appearance dangling so artificially that the Eye could hardly discover this delightful cheat on the top of the Rock was a Lyon cut in Stone whose hair was supplied by the Moss that grew upon it and which by the posture it was in seemed to Roar In a Gallery of the Palace of Chigy which Raphael painted were some Festons of Flowers and fruit sâ— finely painted by him as well in their primitive Greenness as in their full Maturity that whoever saw them were apt to think they were moved by the agitation of the aire the variety of Colours is very delightful rejoicing the sight with their curious mixture which seem to transcend the beautiful variety of the Rain-bow neither has he omitted to refresh his Flowers with the gentle breezes of the Zephirs and the fannings of Aurora's sighs who seems also to bedew them with her tears as if she foresaw that some rude hand would soon crop them the whole is expressed with the greatest resemblance and strength imaginable Thus he lived delighting in this manner to employ his time till he was very old when both his mind and body being weakned with age his hand wanted that vigour and elegance which he performed in his flourishing years He died Anno Dom. 1564 aged 70 years and was buried near his Master Raphael in the Rotunda of Rome XI Michael Angelo Buonarota Was born 16 Mar 1474 and descended of an antient Family of the Earls of Canossa His Father having many Children and but a small Patrimony was forced to put them out to some Employment or other to get their living Michael Angelo in his youth was much addicted to designing and drawing Figures upon paper which his Father taking notice of when he was fourteen years old put him to Dominick Ghirlandio a painter of good repute in Florence under whom he soon profited beyond all that were of equall standing with him insomuch that his Master was astonished at the progress he made One day finding a design of his Masters which was copied by one of them with a Pen he boldly touched up the Figures and added a new ornament to his Masters design which was judged very curious Another time Girlandio working upon a great design in the New Church of St. Maryes Michael Angelo for his recreation drew a design of the Scaffold the Tools and different postures and figures of the Workmen in their several Employments with so much art and ingenuity that his Master was astonished at the sight and foretold that he would one day be the Miracle of an Artist Suitable to his excellency in painting was his ability in Sculpture of which kind he is much applauded for an old Faune of marble which he made for Lorenzo de Medicis laughing with his mouth open showing his Teeth some whereof seemed to he wore out with rottenness also the Battle of Hercules and the Centaurs by the advice of Angelus Politianus a Hercules for the King of France for a Roman Gentleman called Jacopo Gallo a Cupid of Marble with the figure of Bacchus holding a Cup in his right hand and in his left a Tygers skin and a bunch of grapes which a Saâ—yr endeavours to eat of in which figures are a mixture as it were of both sexes they having the strength of the men and the toundness and â—leshiness of the women A Cupid 〈◊〉 for a Gentleman of Milan who sold it for 200 Ducats to the Cardinal St. George These curious Works making him become famous he was sent for to Rome by Pope Julius the second to build a sumptuous Tomb which the said Popedesigned for himself but Julius dying before it was perfected the design was obstructed and the figures which Michael Angelo had carved for this Monument were sent to the French King by whom they were charily preserved and put into the Castle of Equan whence they were afterwards transpâ—rted to Richlieu Clement the seventh coming afterwards to be Pope and designing likewise a Tomb for himself Michael Angelo carved him five figures The first was the Virgin holding the Child Jesus in her Armes who turns himself very prettily towards his mothers bosome and four others representing Day and Night Aurora and Crepusculum whereof Aurora is said to be the softest thing in the world Paul the Third being promoted to the Pontifical Chair set him to draw that admirable piece of the last Judgment in Sixtus's Chappel in the Vatican where the greatness of its design is so lofty and Majestick and the actions are so Natural and agreable to the subject that it is impossible to express its perfections or give it its due character on one side is the lively picture of terror and amazement on the other side of joy mixt with grief fear with hope whatsoever the Poets have seigned of the pleasures of the Elysian fields or of the Torments of Hell is there expressed by the bold strokes of his pencil â—o that nothing can look more delightful and more terrible both together T is reported that the Pope coming one day to see it when it was nigh finished attended by Mâ—sser Biagis his Master of the Ceremonies whose opinion of it being asked by the Pope Biagio answered that in his Judgment it was a very undecent thing to expose such a number of naked figures in so sacred a place as a Chappel and that it was fitter to be placed in a Bawdy house then in the Popes Chappel This displeased Michael Angelo so much that as soon as he was gone he drew this Biagio to the life by the help of his memory placing him naked in Hell with a great Serpent fastned to his middle and environed with a Legion of Devills And all that Biagio could do could never get it out but it remains there as they say to this day This Work was eight years a finishing at the end whereof the people thronged in Câ—ouds to see it on Christmas day 1541 and showed their admiration of the Artist by repeated acclamations making the Aire eccho to the name of Michael Angelo For the Dâ—ke of Florence's Palace he made that curious History of the Battle near Pavia in a Cartoon In the piece is a World of naked figures drawn as swimming in the river Arno to refresh themselves in a time of great