Jan Georg van Vliet

Born c. 1610, in Delft or in Leiden.

Painter, engraver.

School of Leiden.

Jan van der Vliet, more commonly called van Vliet, had the honour of being one of Rembrandt's first collaborators. He seems to have been his student as well. In 1631, he was in Leiden near the master and engraved two remarkable prints in the style of Rembrandt, St Jerome and The Baptism of the Eunuch.

It is likely that Rembrandt played a major part in the creation of the engraving of St Jerome. In 1634, van Vliet engraved a Bust of an old man, and an Old Man with Clasped Hands, in the style of Rembrandt. The following works after Ryn must also be mentioned: Old Man with a Turban with a Feather in it, Head of a warrior, Oriental head with a fur hat, Old woman reading, Woman laughing, Lot and his daughters, and the following after Lievens: Jacob blessed by his father, Suzanne and the two old men, The raising of Lazarus.

Jan van Vliet's work comprises about 90 plates, mostly after Rembrandt. Among his works mention should also be made of 22 plates on the arts and crafts and the five senses. Some critics violently attacked him for the subjects of his art. After 1635, no more is known about his career.

"VLIET, Jan Joris or Georg van der." In Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online, http://www.oxfordartonline.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/subscriber/article/benezit/B00192217 (accessed May 8, 2012).