Paul Bril

Paul Bril (1553 or 1554 – 7 October 1626) was a Flemish painter and printmaker principally known for his landscapes. He spent most of his active career in Rome. His Italianate landscape paintings and drawings had a major influence on 17th century landscape painting in Italy and Northern Europe. He is credited as one of the pioneers of the wooded landscape in European art.

Bril is believed to have been born in Antwerp although it is possible his birthplace was Breda. He was the son of the painter Mathys Baertmaker (also given as Baermaker, Bargiemaker and Mathys de Caerdemaker) who went by the name Bril Janszone and his wife Anna Timmermans Petersdr. (died 1558). He had several siblings of whom Matthijs, Peeter, Jacques and Hans also became painters. The brothers likely started their artistic training with their father in Antwerp. Paul may also have been a pupil of the Antwerp painter Damiaen Wortelmans who was specialised in the decoration of harpsichords.

Paul left Antwerp in 1574 and first travelled through France where he took op residence in Lyon. He travelled before 1580 to Rome where he joined his brother Matthijs who had arrived in the city around 1575.