Jan Brueghel the Elder - Path over a Valley

Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568-1625) was a Flemish painter and draughtsman, best known for his contributions to Dutch and Flemish Baroque painting in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was born in Brussels, which was then part of the Habsburg Netherlands. Brueghel came from a family of artists; his father was Pieter Bruegel the Elder, a renowned Renaissance painter. Jan Brueghel is often referred to as 'Velvet' Brueghel because of his penchant for using rich, lush colours and intricate detail in his works. He was skilled in painting landscapes, still lifes and allegorical scenes. Jan Brueghel collaborated with other prominent artists of his time, such as Peter Paul Rubens. They worked together on several projects, combining Brueghel's skill in detailed landscapes and still lifes with Rubens' expertise in figures and composition. Some of Brueghel's notable works include 'The Entry of the Animals into Noah's Ark', 'Flowers in a Wooden Vessel' and 'The Garden of Eden'. His paintings often combined natural elements, animals and religious or mythological themes. Jan Brueghel the Elder's legacy continued through his descendants, as several of his sons also became successful painters, including Jan Brueghel the Younger. His influence on the development of Flemish Baroque art and his contribution to the collaboration between landscape and figure painters of his time are well recognised in art history.