Jacob de Gheyn

Born in Antwerp, Jacques de Gheyn II (1565-1629) was a draughtsman, engraver and painter. Originally taught by his father, in 1585 he was apprenticed to Hendrick Goltzius in Haarlem. De Gheyn's work marks the transition from late 16th-century Mannerism to the more naturalistic style of the early 17th century. From 1596 to 1602, De Gheyn lived in Leiden, where he worked with humanist Hugo de Groot (Grotius). The latter supplied texts for De Gheyn's engravings. In 1605, he moved to The Hague, where he remained the rest of his life. An admirer of his work was Stadholder Prince Maurice, who commissioned numerous works. De Gheyn also worked for the prince’s successor Frederick Henry. His son, Jacques de Gheyn III, was De Gheyn II's principal follower.