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Jan van Kessel the Elder (1626 - 1679)

Flemish painter active in Antwerp in the mid 17th century. A versatile artist he practised in many genres including studies of insects, floral still lifes, marines, river landscapes, paradise landscapes, allegorical compositions, scenes with animals and genre scenes.Created by: PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search EngineDated: 2023
Jan van Kessel the Elder (1626-1679) was a Flemish painter known for his still life paintings, especially of insects and other small creatures. He was born in Antwerp, Belgium, into a family of artists, and was trained by his father, Jan van Kessel the Elder. He later studied under David Teniers the Younger and became a member of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1644.

Van Kessel's paintings often featured intricate details of insects, flowers, and other natural objects, arranged in a harmonious composition. His work was highly sought after by collectors and was praised for its scientific accuracy and beauty. He also painted landscapes, genre scenes, and portraits.

Van Kessel's influence can be seen in the work of later artists such as Maria Sibylla Merian and Jan van Huysum. He died in Antwerp in 1679 and was buried in the Church of Saint James.
52 Media in collectionpage 1 of 1
'A River Landscape with a Windmill' by Jan van Kessel the Elders

'A River Landscape with a Windmill' by Jan van Kessel the Elders

Public domain image of painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Landscape with a Mill by Jan van Kessel the Elders

Landscape with a Mill by Jan van Kessel the Elders

Public domain image of painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 298 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 298 - Fitzwilliam Mus...

van Kessel, Jan; Insects; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/insects-5469

Jan van Kessel (I) - Four scenes from Aesop's fables, The bear and the bees
Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 312 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 312 - Fitzwilliam Mus...

van Kessel, Jan; Insects; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/insects-5471

Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary

Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary

Public domain image of painting from the National Gallery of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

'the other' Jan van Kessel - Swags of fruit and flowers surrounding a cartouche with a sulphur-crested cockatoo

'the other' Jan van Kessel - Swags of fruit and flowers surrounding a ...

Public domain photo of Flemish art painting, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Jan van Kessel - Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary - 2018.41.1 - National Gallery of Art

Jan van Kessel - Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary - 2018.41.1 - Nationa...

Picryl description: Public domain image of incest, natural history, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Jan van Kessel II - Noah's Family Assembling Animals before the Ark - Walters 371998

Jan van Kessel II - Noah's Family Assembling Animals before the Ark - ...

These animals gathered by Noah's family to take on the ark in the distance reflect both the amazing variety of nature and man's dominion over nature. The majority were considered exotic by 17th-century European... More

Jan van Kessel - A Study of Butterflies, Moths, Spiders, and Insects - BF.1978.10 - Museum of Fine Arts

Jan van Kessel - A Study of Butterflies, Moths, Spiders, and Insects -...

Picryl description: Public domain image of incest, natural history, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Vanitas Still Life by Jan van Kessel the Elder, 1665-70

Vanitas Still Life by Jan van Kessel the Elder, 1665-70

Vanitas Still Life by Jan van Kessel the Elder, 1665-70

Jan van Kessel - A Dragon-fly, two Moths, a Spider and some Beetles, with wild Strawberries

Jan van Kessel - A Dragon-fly, two Moths, a Spider and some Beetles, w...

Public domain image of painting, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Kessel, Jan van the Elder - Africa complete - hi res

Kessel, Jan van the Elder - Africa complete - hi res

Gemälde „Der Erdteil Afrika“ mit 16 Bildern. „Der Erdteil Afrika“ ist Teil des Zyklus „Die vier Erdteile“.

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Fish and marine landscape

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Fish and marine landscape

Picryl description: Public domain photograph of a boat, water, fishing, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Schelpen, vlinders, bloemen - etc

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Schelpen, vlinders, bloemen - etc

Public domain reproduction of artwork, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Jan van Kessel (I) Dragon-fly moths spider beetles with strawberries

Jan van Kessel (I) Dragon-fly moths spider beetles with strawberries

A Dragon-fly, Two Moths, a Spider and Some Beetles, With Wild Strawberries. The insects include Wasp beetle, top left; clouded border moth, top right; migrant hawker dragonfly and cardinal beetle, centre left; ... More

Jan van Kessel (I) - A still life study of insects on a sprig of rosemary with butterflies, a bumble bee, beetles and other insects

Jan van Kessel (I) - A still life study of insects on a sprig of rosem...

Public domain reproduction of artwork, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Insects and Fruit, copper alloy

Insects and Fruit, copper alloy

Jan van Kessel painted different kinds of beetles, flies and butterflies near a sprig of white currants with almost scientific accuracy. He relied on illustrations in scientific books on entomology as well as t... More

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - A Vase of Flowers - PD.32-1975 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - A Vase of Flowers - PD.32-1975 ...

van Kessel, Jan; A Vase of Flowers; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/a-vase-of-flowers-5477

The Continent of America 1666 Jan van Kessel the Elder

The Continent of America 1666 Jan van Kessel the Elder

Public domain image of a renaissance painting, masterpiece, 16th-17th century artwork, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Jan van Kessel (I) - Butterflies and other insects (2)

Jan van Kessel (I) - Butterflies and other insects (2)

Public domain image of painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Vlinders en andere insecten met sprays van distel en borage

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Vlinders en andere insecten met sprays van di...

Picryl description: Public domain image of incest, natural history, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Jan van Kessel (I) - Four scenes from Aesop's fables, The deer and the sheep
Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Butterflies and Other Insects - 224 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Butterflies and Other Insects -...

van Kessel, Jan; Butterflies and Other Insects; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/butterflies-and-other-insects-5468

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Still Life of Flowers and Grapes Encircling a Monstrance in a Niche - NG 2740 - National Galleries of Scotland

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Still Life of Flowers and Grape...

van Kessel, Jan; Still Life of Flowers and Grapes Encircling a Monstrance in a Niche; National Galleries of Scotland; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/still-life-of-flowers-and-grapes-encircling-a-monstrance-in-a-... More

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Study of insects

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Study of insects

Picryl description: Public domain image of incest, natural history, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Jan van Kessel (I) - Butterflies and Insects - WGA12140

Jan van Kessel (I) - Butterflies and Insects - WGA12140

Public domain image of painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Vlinders en andere insecten, mosselen, slakken - etc

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Vlinders en andere insecten, mosselen, slakke...

Public domain scan of 17th-century drawing, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 309 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 309 - Fitzwilliam Mus...

van Kessel, Jan; Insects; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/insects-5470

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 508 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Insects - 508 - Fitzwilliam Mus...

van Kessel, Jan; Insects; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/insects-5473

Jan van Kessel - A Cockchafer, Beetle, Woodlice and other Insects, with a Sprig of Auricula

Jan van Kessel - A Cockchafer, Beetle, Woodlice and other Insects, wit...

Picryl description: Public domain image of incest, natural history, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

The Continent of Asia 1666 Jan van Kessel the Elder

The Continent of Asia 1666 Jan van Kessel the Elder

Public domain photo of Flemish art painting, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Pseudo-Jan van Kessel (II) - Still life with fish, vegetables, flowers and two cats

Pseudo-Jan van Kessel (II) - Still life with fish, vegetables, flowers...

Public domain image of painting, 17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Flower still life

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Flower still life

Public domain photograph of 3d object, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl Description.

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Butterflies and Other Insects - 223 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - Butterflies and Other Insects -...

van Kessel, Jan; Butterflies and Other Insects; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/butterflies-and-other-insects-5467

Roses, tulips, carnations an iris and other flowers in a Chinese transitional blue and white jardiniere with moths and other insects on a ledge

Roses, tulips, carnations an iris and other flowers in a Chinese trans...

Public domain reproduction of artwork, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Other Insects, and Flowers by Jan van Kessel, 1659, High Museum of Art

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Other Insects, and Flowers by Jan van Kesse...

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Other Insects, and Flowers by Jan van Kessel (1626–1679), oil on copper, 1659, High Museum of Art

Kessel, Jan van the Elder - Ecclesia umgeben von den Symbolen der Vergaenglichkeit -

Kessel, Jan van the Elder - Ecclesia umgeben von den Symbolen der Verg...

Public domain image of painting, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel (I) - Insects (2)

Jan van Kessel (I) - Insects (2)

Public domain image of painting, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel (I) - Insects

Jan van Kessel (I) - Insects

Public domain image of painting, 18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel (I) - Holy Family -1660s

Jan van Kessel (I) - Holy Family -1660s

Public domain photo of Flemish art painting, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Jan van Kessel II - Family portrait - M.Ob.813 MNW - National Museum in Warsaw

Jan van Kessel II - Family portrait - M.Ob.813 MNW - National Museum i...

Public domain image of portrait painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Vlinders en andere insecten met sprays van rode bessen en vergeet-me-niet

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Vlinders en andere insecten met sprays van ro...

Public domain photograph - still life painting, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Decorative Still-Life Composition with a porcelain Bowl, Fruit and Insects

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Decorative Still-Life Composition with a po...

Decorative Still-Life Composition with a porcelain Bowl, Fruit and Insects

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Insecten, schelpen en vlinders

Jan van Kessel de Oude - Insecten, schelpen en vlinders

Public domain image of painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Van-Kessel-Festons-masques-Fondation-Custodia

Van-Kessel-Festons-masques-Fondation-Custodia

French: Festons, masques et rosettes de coquillagestitle QS:P1476,fr:"Festons, masques et rosettes de coquillages" label QS:Lfr,"Festons, masques et rosettes de coquillages"

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Water - 09.15 - Detroit Institute of Arts

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Water - 09.15 - Detroit Institute of Arts

Picryl description: Public domain image of fishing, fishing boat, river, lake, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - A Wooded Landscape - 1165997 - National Trust

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - A Wooded Landscape - 1165997 - ...

van Kessel, Jan; A Wooded Landscape; National Trust, Hatchlands; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/a-wooded-landscape-217276

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Fish and landscape

Jan van Kessel the Elder - Fish and landscape

Public domain image of painting, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) (attributed to) - A Stag Hunt - 872110 - National Trust

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) (attributed to) - A Stag Hunt - 8...

van Kessel, Jan; A Stag Hunt; National Trust, Saltram; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/a-stag-hunt-101552

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - A Vase of Flowers - PD.79-1973 - Fitzwilliam Museum

Jan van Kessel the elder (1626-1679) - A Vase of Flowers - PD.79-1973 ...

van Kessel, Jan; A Vase of Flowers; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/a-vase-of-flowers-5478

Jan van Kessel 003. Painting, Rijksmuseum

Jan van Kessel 003. Painting, Rijksmuseum

Public domain image of painting, 16th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

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