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Jan Bruegel The Elder
(Flemish, 1568 — 1610)
Edge of the Forest, Flight into Egypt (1610)
Inventory Number: 429a
Oil on canvas.
15.5 x 11 inches (39.5 x 28 cm)
Son of Pieter Bruegel, and father-in-law of David Teniers the Younger, early in his career he visited Cologne and Italy, before settling in Antwerp in 1597. He enjoyed a highly successful and honourable career there, becoming Dean of the Guild, working for the Archduke Albert and the Infanta Isabella, and making frequent visits to the Brussels court. His specialties were still-lifes, especially flower painting and landscapes, but he worked in an entirely different spirit from his father, depicting brilliantly coloured, lush woodland scenes, often with mythological figures. His exquisite flower paintings were rated the finest of the day, and his virtuoso skill at depicting delicate textures earned him the nickname 'Velvet Brueghel'. Often he collaborated with other artists (notably his close friend Rubens) painting backgrounds, animals, or flowers for them.
Size can be commissioned smaller or larger.
Collection of the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.