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for Jan Liss
Jan Liss
Dutch, 1570 - 1629
Painter. History painting, mythological subjects, portraits, genre scenes
Lis imitated the style of his Haarlem teacher Hendrik Goltzius. He was a great traveller, living in Paris, Rome and Venice, where he was influenced by Caravaggio. On his return to Holland he received several commissions but he was an inveterate bon-viveur and spent a great deal of his time in the pursuit of pleasure. He stayed in Rome for a lengthy period in the company of fellow painters who indulged his dissolute lifestyle and gave him the surname "Pan". His work reflects his life of debauchery, concentrating on the peculiar qualities of abundant and florid flesh, in both genre paintings and mythological scenes. Through Goltzius he became acquainted with the art of Spranger and Nordic baroque artists, whom his recalls. He has often been confused with Honthorst, Jordaens and Rubens. Returning to Rome to visit his friend Sandrart, Lis caught the plague in Venice and died there. Although noted for some of his historical paintings, he is principally remembered for his treatment of everyday subjects, such as interiors of inns, masquerades and bathers. Noteworthy among his engravings are: Hercules on the Pyre, Young Man holding a Mask, Gentleman Talking with a Woman and Another Playing the Guitar near his Lady, Five People in Conversation.
"LIS, Jan, called Pan." In Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online, http://www.oxfordartonline.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/subscriber/article/benezit/B00110414 (accessed May 8, 2012).
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