Jan Frans van Bloemen
Encyclopedia
Jan Frans van Bloemen (baptized 12 May 1662 - buried 13 June 1749) was a Flemish landscape painter of the Baroque
period.
Born in Antwerp, van Bloemen was a younger brother of Pieter van Bloemen, who had left for Rome in 1674, where Jan Frans joined him in 1689. In 1690 a third painting brother, Norbert van Bloemen
(1670-1746), joined them as well. Whereas Pieter returned to Antwerp in 1694 and Norbert left for Amsterdam
before 1724, Jan Frans remained in Rome for the rest of his life. The Dutch
-born painter Caspar van Wittel
, who lived in Rome since 1675, became the godfather of his first child.
Van Bloemen was nicknamed Orizonte or Horizonti, on account of the distance he painted in his landscapes
. His landscapes have an Arcadian lushness, with mountains, streams, distant hamlets, and small inhabitants painted with imprecise pittori di tocco flourishes.
Orizonte predominantly painted classical landscapes throughout his career, taking his inspiration from the Roman campagna. His landscapes, with their recession through a series of planes, soft, warm lightning and classical and religious subject matter, draw on the examples of artists such as Claude Lorrain
and Gaspard Dughet
. His painting are exquisitely imbued with that "difficult-to-define pastoral ambience" which helped to make him such a great painter in the eyes of his contemporaries.
While van Bloemen was a much locally patronized painter of the Roman Schildersbent, or Bentvueghels
, the Netherlandish painters guild, he was unable to gain acceptance into the pre-eminent Roman painter's guild, the Accademia di San Luca
, till he was over 70 years old. Some of this resistance may have arisen from the Roman establishment disdain for landscape painting as a demonstration of skill.
He died in Rome in 1749.
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
period.
Born in Antwerp, van Bloemen was a younger brother of Pieter van Bloemen, who had left for Rome in 1674, where Jan Frans joined him in 1689. In 1690 a third painting brother, Norbert van Bloemen
Norbert van Bloemen
Norbert van Bloemen , was a Flemish Baroque painter.-Biography:Norbert van Bloemen, called Cephalus, the youngest of the three brothers , was born at Antwerp in 1670...
(1670-1746), joined them as well. Whereas Pieter returned to Antwerp in 1694 and Norbert left for Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
before 1724, Jan Frans remained in Rome for the rest of his life. The Dutch
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
-born painter Caspar van Wittel
Caspar van Wittel
Gaspar van Wittel was a Dutch Golden Age landscape painter.-Biography:Van Wittel was born in Amersfoort...
, who lived in Rome since 1675, became the godfather of his first child.
Van Bloemen was nicknamed Orizonte or Horizonti, on account of the distance he painted in his landscapes
Landscape art
Landscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
. His landscapes have an Arcadian lushness, with mountains, streams, distant hamlets, and small inhabitants painted with imprecise pittori di tocco flourishes.
Orizonte predominantly painted classical landscapes throughout his career, taking his inspiration from the Roman campagna. His landscapes, with their recession through a series of planes, soft, warm lightning and classical and religious subject matter, draw on the examples of artists such as Claude Lorrain
Claude Lorrain
Claude Lorrain, , traditionally just Claude in English Claude Lorrain, , traditionally just Claude in English (also Claude Gellée, his real name, or in French Claude Gellée, , dit le Lorrain) Claude Lorrain, , traditionally just Claude in English (also Claude Gellée, his real name, or in French...
and Gaspard Dughet
Gaspard Dughet
Gaspard Dughet , also known as Gaspard Poussin, was a French painter born in Rome.A pupil of Nicolas Poussin, Gaspard Dughet was the brother of Poussin's wife...
. His painting are exquisitely imbued with that "difficult-to-define pastoral ambience" which helped to make him such a great painter in the eyes of his contemporaries.
While van Bloemen was a much locally patronized painter of the Roman Schildersbent, or Bentvueghels
Bentvueghels
The Bentvueghels were a society of mostly Dutch and Flemish artists active in Rome from about 1620 to 1720. They are also known as the Schildersbent .-Activities:...
, the Netherlandish painters guild, he was unable to gain acceptance into the pre-eminent Roman painter's guild, the Accademia di San Luca
Accademia di San Luca
The Accademia di San Luca, was founded in 1577 as an association of artists in Rome, under the directorship of Federico Zuccari, with the purpose of elevating the work of "artists", which included painters, sculptors and architects, above that of mere craftsmen. Other founders included Girolamo...
, till he was over 70 years old. Some of this resistance may have arisen from the Roman establishment disdain for landscape painting as a demonstration of skill.
He died in Rome in 1749.