Born in Antwerp, Jacob Huysmans was a distinguished Flemish portrait painter and a direct rival of Sir Peter Lely. He moved to England following the Restoration of Charles II and soon became a favourite of Queen Catherine of Braganza, perhaps, in part, due to their shared Catholic faith. 

Compared to Lely’s delicate finesse, Huysmans’ portrayals are alive with spirited brushwork, often working quickly with confident improvisation. Some compare his approach to the Italianate Baroque style of Anthony van Dyck, while John Rothenstein described him as reflecting “the flamboyant, French aspect of Restoration taste”.  Along with Catharine of Braganza, Charles II, James, Duke of York, Anne Hyde, and the Duke of Monmouth sat for him.

He’s represented in numerous public collections, including the Royal Collection Trust, National Portrait Gallery, Tate, National Gallery of Victoria and the British Museum.

Known For

Portraiture (particularly for his portrayals of Queen Catherine of Braganza), history painting, religious and mythological scenes (often after Anthony van Dyck).

Student Of

Frans Wouters (1612-1659) and possibly Gillis Backereel.

Lived In

Antwerp, London, Chichester, Brussels.

Public Collections

Royal Collection Trust, National Portrait Gallery, Tate, Royal Museums Greenwich, National Gallery of Victoria, The British Museum, National Trust at Canons Ashby, Ashmolean Museum, Chequers Court, Dulwich Picture Gallery, English Heritage at Audley End House, English Heritage at Kenwood, English Heritage at Wrest Park, Government Art Collection, National Galleries of Scotland, National Trust for Scotland at Falkland Palace & Garden, National Trust at Ardress House, National Trust at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust at Belton House, National Trust at Blickling Hall, National Trust at Castle Ward, National Trust at Chirk Castle, National Trust at Dunham Massey, National Trust at Dunster Castle, National Trust at Hatchlands, National Trust at Kingston Lacy, National Trust at Lanhydrock, National Trust at Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate, National Trust at Montacute House, National Trust at Oxburgh Hall, National Trust at Polesden Lacey, National Trust at Sizergh Castle, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum, The Queen's College at the University of Oxford, Trinity College at the University of Oxford, Valence House Museum, Walker Art Gallery, Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Wellcome Collection.

Sold Through

Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams.

Timeline

C. 1633

Born in Antwerp to Gillis Huysmans, a ‘mint master’, and Anna Boghe.

C. 1648-c.1652

Trained in Antwerp under the history painters, Gillis Backereel and Frans Wouters.

C. 1650

Jacob Huysmans (after Anthony van Dyck), Cupid Preparing His Bow (c. 1650)

Jacob Huysmans, Three Aristocratic Children With A Sheep Decorated With A Floral Wreath And A Dog (c. 1650)

C. 1660

Moved to London.

1662

First recorded in England.

When establishing himself in London, he became known for producing numerous copies of religious and mythological works after Anthony van Dyck. As a Roman Catholic, he soon caught the attention of Queen Catharine of Braganza.

1664

Samuel Pepys referred to him in his diary. 

C. 1665

Jacob Huysmans (Attributed), Portrait Of A Lady With Pearls (c. 1665)

C. 1666

Lived in Chichester following the Great Fire of London.

1667-1681

Lived in London.

C. 1670

Jacob Huysmans, Dr Peter Barwick, His Wife, Anne And Daughter, Mary, Later Lady Dutton (c. 1670)

1674

Jacob Huysmans, Edward Henry Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield, And His Wife Charlotte Fitzroy As Children (1674)

1681

Jacob Huysmans, Jemima, Armine And Elizabeth, Daughters Of Thomas, 2nd Lord Crewe Of Stene (1681)

1681-1683

Lived in Brussels.

1683

Worked in London.

1683-1688

Lived in Brussels.

1688

Worked in Antwerp.

1688-1698

Lived in Brussels.

C. 1696/1698

Died in Jermyn Street, London or Brussels.

Described By Others

The Diary of Samuel Pepys, 26 August 1664

“…she took us by and by and showed us indeed some pictures at one Hiseman’s, a picture drawer, a Dutchman, which is said to exceed Lilly, and indeed there is both of the Queenes and Mayds of Honour (particularly Mrs. Stewart’s in a buff doublet like a soldier) as good pictures, I think, as ever I saw. The Queene is drawn in one like a shepherdess, in the other like St. Katharin, most like and most admirably. I was mightily pleased with this sight indeed…”

Dictionary of National Biography, Robert Edmund Graves, 1885-1900

“Huysmans' portraits are well drawn and coloured, and combine somewhat of the power and freedom of Van Dyck with the grace and feeling of Lely.”

Introduction To English Painting, John Rothenstein, 1933

“An artist who reflected the flamboyant, French aspect of Restoration taste was Jacob Huysmans. He was born in Antwerp about 1633 and came to England, where he was generally known as Houseman, before 1662. Charles II and his Queen, Catharine of Braganza, James, Duke of York, and his Duchess, Anne Hyde, and the Duke of Monmouth sat to him.”