| The son and pupil of Jan Brueghel the Elder, Jan II took over his father's studio and continued the family business, extending his repertoire to include historical subjects, which were more highly esteemed than still lifes and landscapes – favorite subjects of his father. However, Jan also produced flower pictures, animal subjects, battle pieces, and copies of his father's work. The son also dealt in pictures on occasion. Baptized in Antwerp in 1601, Jan II studied with his father and in 1622 set out for Italy, where he was welcomed by his father's lifelong friend, Archbishop Federigo Borromeo. Jan was in Rome by August and later went to Genoa, Palermo, and Malta. Back in Antwerp in 1625 (on account of his father's death), Jan inherited the studio and joined the painters' guild in that year. Jan also joined the rhetoricians' society. In 1626 Jan II married one of the daughters of Abraham Janssens. The marriage produced eleven children; five were sons, some of whom became painters. The year 1626 saw Jan II acting as an agent for a picture dealer and acquiring pictures from his father-in-law (A. Janssens), Coraelis de Vos, and J. V. Uden, among others. To keep up with the demand for his pictures, Jan II maintained a large and active workshop with numerous assistants (some of whom were paid by the hour). Many of these pictures were sent to his dealer. Jan IPs patrons included the Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, and his friends included Anthony van Dyck (with whom Jan II went to Rome) and Archbishop Borromeo. Jan II was a leading artist in Antwerp, brother-in-law to David Teniers, the uncle of Jan van Kessel and collaborator with Rubens, Hendrik van Balen,* and others. Despite his success and talent, Jan II is considered a less refined master than his father. The son responded in part to new influences, including that of Daniel Seghers. In 1672 a fight with a guild member affected Jan II's vision (some reports say he lost an eye) and this slowed his production. He died in 1678. |
