JAN VAN KESSEL

JAN VAN KESSEL (Antwerp, 1626-1679).
"Flower garland with the Virgin".
Oil on copper.
Adjunta informe escrito por el Dr. Klaus Ertz (junio de 2017).
Measures: 32 x 26 cm; 53.5 x 48.5 cm (frame).
This work follows a very popular tradition in 17th century Baroque painting. Although, due to the importance of the flowers and the fruits, it is possible to speak of a still life, the religious scene they frame means that it should be considered as part of a line of paintings that is very common in both the Spanish and Flemish schools. The central theme was painted in grisaille, imitating sculpture, or in color, and although this used to be religious, it is not entirely exceptional to find mythological themes or even an element of still life; and he surrounded himself with a garland, sometimes run and sometimes divided, made in full color.
Jan van Kessel "the Elder", was an active Flemish painter in Antwerp in the mid-17th century. Versatile artist who practiced in many genres, including insect studies, floral still lifes, Marines, river landscapes, heavenly landscapes, allegorical compositions, animal scenes, and genre scenes. An offspring of the Brueghel family, many of his themes were inspired by the work of his grandfather Jan Brueghel the Elder, as well as the previous generation of Flemish painters such as Daniel Seghers, Joris Hoefnagel and Frans Snyders. Jan van Kessel the Elder was born in Antwerp as the son of Hieronymus van Kessel the Younger and Paschasia Brueghel (the daughter of Jan Brueghel the Elder). He was, therefore, Jan Brueghel, the grandson of the Elder, Pieter Bruegel, the great-grandson of the Elder and the nephew of Jan Brueghel the Younger. His direct ancestors in the line of the van Kessel family were his grandfather Hieronymus van Kessel the Elder and his father Hieronymus van Kessel the Younger, who were both painters. Very little is known about the work of these van Kessel ancestors. At the age of just 9, Jan van Kessel was sent to study with the history painter Simon de Vos. He also trained with family members who were artists. He was a student of his father and his uncle Jan Brueghel the Younger. In 1644 he became a member of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke, where he was registered as a "blomschilder" (flower painter). He married Maria van Apshoven on June 11, 1646. The couple had 13 children, of whom two, Jan and Ferdinand, were trained by him and became successful painters. He was captain of a local schutterij (civil guard) in Antwerp. Jan van Kessel was financially successful as his works demanded high prices. He bought in 1656 a house called Witte in Roode Roos (White and Red Rose) in the center of Antwerp.