The Flight into Egypt

Jan Breughel was a very accomplished artist known for his distinguished landscapes and still lives. Some of the most recurring themes in his works are mythology, allegories, and religious scenes. He was the son of the master painter Jan Brueghel I and Isabel de Jode, and brother of Abrosius Brughel. The artist was baptized in Antwerp on September 18, 1601 at the church of Saint George. Brueghel’s mentor and teacher was his father, allowing him to learn from the best and acquire a magnificent technique. In May of 1622, he travelled to Italy where Cardinal F.Borromeo in Milan hosted him. Later that year the painter left Milan to join L. and C. de Wael in Genoa, he went on to visit Palermo and Malta. In August 12th of 1625, Brueghel’s father passed away and consequently the artist returned to Antwerp. That same year, the painter was named Master of the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp and he became member of the chamber of De Violerien. Between 1625 and 1652, he took charge of his father’s studio, during which time J. Breughel recorded in his diary every work he painted, copied, sold, and the artists with whom he collaborated. In 1628 and 1628, the artist worked with H.van Balen I and P.P Rubens. In 1630, Breughel was the dean of the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp. On July 5th of 1636, the painter married Maria Anna Janssens, daughter of A.Janssens. They had eleven children and five of them become painters, following their father’s career. Their names were Jan Peter, Abraham, Philips, Ferdinand, and Jan Baptist. Initially, Jan painted copies of his father’s works, but quickly developed his own person style. His floral compositions are very similar to works by D. Seghers. Still today, Jan Brueghel’s works are often mistaken for the works by his father; nonetheless, the colors used by Brueghel II are less vigorous and the brushstrokes are thicker and less accentuated.

H. van Balen was one of the most important artists in the history of Flemish art. The artist worked with Adam van Noort in the city of Antwerp. In 1592/1593 he became Master of the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp. According to the documentation of the time, it is deduced that he visited Italy at some point in his life. In 1605, Balen married Margaretha Briers and had three children who followed in their father’s footsteps as artists. The children’s names were Gaspard, Jan y Hendrick II. In 1609/1610, Balen became the Dean of the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp and in 1613, the Dean of the Romanist Guild. H. van Balen had twenty-six disciples, the most notable of which were A. van Dyck, N. van Kessel, J. de Monper, Fr. Snyders, J.Tilens, S.Vrancx, J.Wildens, G. de Wit, and L. van Uden. The painter was highly influenced by his teacher A. van Noort and the Venetian School; his style also resembles the tendencies of H. Rottenhammer. H. van Balen’s compositions were mainly done in small format using oil and panel. The artist collaborated with different artists such as Jan Brueghel with whom he created The Flight into Egypt.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• J. de Mere y M. Wabbes, Edited by Dr. Jennifer A. Martin, “Illustrated Dictionary of 17^th Century Flemish Painters”, Texto, p. 83-84
• J. de Mere y M. Wabbes, Edited by Dr. Jennifer A. Martin, “Illustrated Dictionary of 17^th Century Flemish Painters”, Plates A-K, p. 178-184
• M.L. Hairs, “Les peintres flamands de fleurs(…)”, Brussels, 1985
• Idem in Brueghel, “Une dynastie de peintre”, exh. Cat., Brussels, Palais des Beauz Arts, 1980
• K.Ertz, J.Br. der Jüngere, “Die Gëmalde mit kristischen”, Eurekatalog, Freren 1984
• M.L. Hairs, “Jan. Br. Le Jeune peintre de fleurs”, in rev, B.A.H.A, VI, 1967, p. 57-74
• E. Duverger en D. Maufort, “Het Antwerpse kunstenaarsgeslacht Tijssens (Thyssens) uit de zeventiende eeuw en het begin van de achtiende eeuw en zijn stamvader Augustijn Tijssens de Oude”, Gentse Bijdragen 31 (1996), p. 127-207 [archivalia betreffende Jan Breughel II]
• S.D. Muller, “Nature’s rivals: the Brueghels”, in: S.D. Muller (ed.), The Val A. Browning collection: a selection of old master paintings, Salt Lake City (The Utah  Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah) 2001, p. 62-93
• An Van Camp, “Jan Brueghel the Youngher and the Nuremberg drawings, Delineavit et Sculpsit nr. 36 (oktober 2013), p. 22-43
• Chr. Van Mulders, “Een analyse van de creatieve process (sic) in het oeuvre van P.P. Rubens in samenwerking met Brueghel I en II”, diss. in voorbereiding, Brussel, Vrije Universiteit, prof. Van de Velde (Bron: Kunstchronik 9/10 (2003), p. 536

MUSEUMS

Jan Brueghel’s works can be found in many museums around the world including: Antwerp- K.M.S.K., Amsterdam- Rijksmuseum, Berlin- Staalt. Preussischer Museum, Kulturbesitz Gg., Detroit (Michigan, USA)- Institute of Art, Dresden- Gemaldegalerie, Dublin- National Gallerie of Ireland, Madrid- Museo del Prado, Munich- London- National Gallerie, Montpelllier- , Munich- , Nantes- , New York- Metropolitan Museum, Philadelphia- Museum of Art, San Francisco, California,- M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, Vienna- Kunsthist Museum.

 

PROVENANCE

Private Collection, España

EXHIBITIONS

Madrid, Soraya Cartategui Gallery, Feriarte, November 2014.