Jan Frans van Douven

Jan Frans van Douven ( Johan Francois Douven ) (* 1656 in Roermond, † 1727 in Dusseldorf ) was a Dutch portrait painter.

Life

Douven belonged in the "golden age of the Netherlands " school of Leyden. He was twelve years old when his father died and went at various painters in teaching. 1682 he moved to Dusseldorf, where he was " Cabinetsmaler " the highest-ranking position held at the court since 1691. Douven, who initiated the construction of the Picture Gallery Dusseldorf, was beaten by Elector Jan Wellem knighted and " sent art agent for the propagation of the art treasures traveling " as where in Italy he acquired art treasures among others. Among the godparents of his ten children counted in addition to the electoral couple the sculptor Gabriel de Grupello