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Butterflies and Insects by Jan van Kessel the Elder
30 butterflies by Jan van Kessel the Elder
Allegory of air and water by Jan van Kessel the Elder
Basket of flowers by Jan van Kessel the Elder
The Triumph of Amphitrite by Jan van Kessel the Elder
Still life of fruit with a cavia by Jan van Kessel the Elder
Basket of Flowers by Jan van Kessel the Elder
The Four Continents: Africa by Jan van Kessel the Elder
Festoon, masks and rosettes made of shells by Jan van Kessel the Elder
The continent of Africa by Jan van Kessel the Elder
A sprig of redcurrants with an elephant hawk moth, a ladybird, a millipede and other insects by Jan van Kessel the Elder
The Four Elements by Jan van Kessel the Elder

Where to See Jan van Kessel the Elder

31 museums worldwide

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About Jan van Kessel the Elder

Dutch · 1626–1679

tiny jewel-like paintings of insects on copper, made to decorate the cabinet drawers where collectors stored real specimens

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Portrait of Jan van Kessel the Elder
Museums31
Countries12
Most worksFitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge · 9 works
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Where to see Jan van Kessel the Elder

Ranked by works you can see in person.

Jan van Kessel the Elder prints

Hand-finished archival prints from Jan van Kessel the Elder's body of work.

The Virgin and Child, in a Sculpted Cartouche, Surrounded by Garlands of Roses, Tulips, Carnations, Lillies and Other Flowers - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster The Virgin and Child, in a Sculpted Cartouche, Surrounded by Garlands of Roses, Tulips, Carnations, Lillies and Other Flowers - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £28.00 Flower Still Life - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster Flower Still Life - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £28.00 Roses, tulips, an iris and other flowers, in a glass vase on a stone plinth, with butterflies and other insects - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster Roses, tulips, an iris and other flowers, in a glass vase on a stone plinth, with butterflies and other insects - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £28.00 Concert of Birds - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster Concert of Birds - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £28.00 The Four Elements - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster The Four Elements - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £37.00 Flowers and Butterflies in Front of a Sculpted Cartouche - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster Flowers and Butterflies in Front of a Sculpted Cartouche - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £28.00 Insects and Reptiles - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster Insects and Reptiles - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £28.00 Allegory of the Garden of Eden - Jan van Kessel the Elder - Poster Allegory of the Garden of Eden - Jan van Kessel the Elder From £28.00

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I see Jan van Kessel the Elder's work?
    Jan van Kessel the Elder (1626-1679) was a Flemish painter known for his small-scale, detailed depictions of subjects from the natural world. These include insects, flowers, animals, and allegorical compositions. While a comprehensive list of locations holding his work is unavailable, some museums with collections of similar artists may hold pieces by van Kessel. These include the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, which holds works by Hieronymus Bosch, and the National Gallery in London, which holds Dutch Golden Age paintings. The Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg also has a collection of 17th-century Flemish paintings. Researching museum websites and catalogues directly is advisable to confirm the presence and availability of specific works by Jan van Kessel the Elder. Bear in mind that museum holdings can change, and not all works are always on display.
  • What should I know about Jan van Kessel the Elder's prints?
    Jan van Kessel the Elder (1626-1679) was a Flemish artist from Antwerp who painted still lifes and cabinet pictures. He came from an artistic family; his mother was the daughter of Jan Brueghel the Elder, and his son, Jan van Kessel the Younger, also became a painter. Prints in seventeenth-century Antwerp were bought and sold in bulk. Art dealers were less concerned with signatures or firm attributions than with the characteristics, subject matter, and themes associated with particular artists. Paintings in the manner of a popular artist, such as Jan Brueghel the Elder, were desirable, even if they could not be definitively attributed. These paintings could then be sold on the art market under the more famous name. Therefore, it is important to consider the provenance and attribution of any prints attributed to Jan van Kessel, as misattributions were common.
  • Why are Jan van Kessel the Elder's works important today?
    Jan van Kessel the Elder, who was active in the 17th century, is important for several reasons. He provides insight into the artistic tastes and collecting habits of the economic and social elite of his time. In the Dutch Republic, Flemish masters were highly regarded and fashionable. These artists, such as Rubens, Van Dyck, and Jordaens, enjoyed patronage from exclusive rulers and collectors across Europe. The Dutch court at The Hague even attempted to entice Rubens to work for the stadhouder, hoping to gain access to exclusive European circles through artistic means. Van Dyck, a pupil of Rubens, gained international fame and became the official painter to the King of England. His visit to the Dutch court further popularised his elegant portraiture among the elite in Holland. Jordaens, another prominent Flemish painter, completed significant works for the stadhouder's palace, Huis den Bosch, in 1652. These examples demonstrate the high regard for Flemish painting and its role in shaping the artistic preferences of elite collectors.
  • Jan van Kessel the Elder?
    The fame of Jan Brueghel rests on his skill in depicting and arranging luxuriant bunches of flowers, sometimes accompanied by unusual items, such as coins, insects, and jewels. In letters from Antwerp and Brussels, Brueghel underlines the effort it took to compose these bunches.
  • What techniques or materials did Jan van Kessel the Elder use?
    Jan van Kessel the Elder (1626-1679) was a Flemish artist from Antwerp. He is known for small-scale paintings of subjects from the natural world. Van Kessel often painted on copper. This support allowed for a smooth surface and fine detail. Many of his works feature insects, flowers, and animals rendered with scientific precision. He worked in oil paint, building up layers of glazes to create luminosity and depth. His technique involved careful observation and detailed rendering. Van Kessel sometimes used a magnifying glass to study his subjects. This allowed him to capture minute details of insect anatomy or flower structures. He also relied on printed sources for some of his imagery. These included natural history books and emblem books. These sources provided reference material for exotic or less accessible specimens. Van Kessel's paintings often have a decorative quality, reflecting the taste for collecting and displaying natural curiosities during the 17th century. His use of colour and composition creates a sense of harmony and balance within these small-format works.
  • Who did Jan van Kessel the Elder influence?
    Critics have examined Jan van Kessel the Elder's artistic links to later movements since the late nineteenth century. One can see the influence of Dutch painting, generally, even into the eighteenth century. Although critical theory continued to look down on what was seen as simple imitation of nature, the influence remained. Townscape painters were surprisingly influential, even outside the Dutch Republic; the link to Venetian *veduta* of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries seems clear. Manet found his personal aesthetic through engagement with Hals’s manner. Van Gogh ascended to these ranks, in part through his deliberate engagement with the art of Hals and Manet. Modern painters who engaged with Impressionism were characterised as artistic descendants of Hals; by extension, Hals came to be discussed in Impressionist terms. Writers on Hals routinely focused on the elements that Impressionist artists such as Manet had appropriated and that critics had labelled as Impressionistic.
  • Who influenced Jan van Kessel the Elder?
    Like other artists, Jan van Kessel the Elder would have been influenced by the masters that preceded him. According to artistic and literary theory, pupils typically followed a three-step process of development. First, *translatio* involved making close copies for technical study. Second, *imitatio* required making variants to show an understanding of structure and style. Finally, *aemulatio* meant creating a version that surpassed the original model. Franciscus Junius advised artists to use the best masters for guidance, improving upon their work as a form of homage and a display of their own skill. This approach involved recognising and building upon existing artistic achievements. By acknowledging these influences, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the artist's creative process and accomplishments. Van Kessel's influences would have been a mixture of direct instruction, observation, and emulation of established artists.
  • What is Jan van Kessel the Elder's most famous work?
    It is difficult to name a single "most famous work" by Jan van Kessel the Elder, as his output was varied and he is known for different types of paintings. He produced many studies of animals; examples include "Sheet with Animals and Garlands", "Sketches of Ducks and Birds", and "Studies of Hunting Dogs". Van Kessel also collaborated with other artists, including Rubens, on allegorical works. These include "Allegory of Fire", "Allegory of Hearing", "Allegory of Sight", "Allegory of Smell", "Allegory of Spring", and "Allegory of Taste". Another collaborative work is "The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man". Other paintings by van Kessel include "Port Scene in Venice", "Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells", and "View of the Interior of the Colosseum".

Sources

Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of Jan van Kessel the Elder's works across the following collections.

  1. [1] museum Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper Used for: museum holdings.
  2. [2] museum Musée des Arts Décoratifs Used for: museum holdings.
  3. [3] museum Royal Pump Rooms Used for: museum holdings.
  4. [4] museum Musées Nationaux Récupération Used for: museum holdings.
  5. [5] museum Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Angers Used for: museum holdings.
  6. [6] book Lilian H. Zirpolo, Historical Dictionary of Baroque Art and Architecture Used for: biography.
  7. [7] book Masterpieces of western art : a history of art in 900 individual studies from the Gothic to the present day Used for: biography.
  8. [8] book National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art - Painting in the Dutch Golden Age - A Profile of the Seventeenth Century Used for: biography.
  9. [9] museum Jan van Kessel I Used for: biography.
  10. [10] museum Jan van Kessel - Insects, Butterflies, and a Dragonfly Used for: notable works.
  11. [11] museum Jan van Kessel the Elder (1626 - 1679) Used for: biography.
  12. [12] museum Van Kessel the Elder, Jan Used for: biography.

Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-07-02. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.

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