- NameAbraham van Diepenbeeck
- Activity/Titleartist
- Sexmale
- Variant namesfullständigt namn: Abraham Jansz. van Diepenbeeck
namnvariant: Abram van Diependael
- Nationality/DatesFlemish, born before 1596-05-09, dead 1675-09-16 or 1675-09-16, dead 1675-09-16 or 1675-09-16
- PlacesPlace of death: Antwerpen, Belgien
BiographyHistory painter, draughtsman and glass painter.
Born at s’Hertogenbosch, Abraham van Diepenbeeck
was the son and pupil of the glass painter Jan Roelofszoon
van Diepenbeeck. In 1621 he moved to Antwerp;
following a visit to France some time after 1627 and
further residence in s’-Hertogenbosch and Eindhoven,
he returned to Antwerp by 1633, becoming a citizen in
1636. Although not documented, it has been suggested
that he also visited Italy and England. Initially active as
a glass painter, he became a member of their guild in
1622/1623, but turning increasingly to painting after c.
1630, he enrolled in the Antwerp painters’ Guild of St.
Luke in 1638 and was subsequently elected dean in
1641 (but did not take up office).
Van Diepenbeeck’s scarce paintings of biblical and
mythological themes, like his many surviving drawings,
mostly designs for engravings of the most varied
subjects, show the strong influence of Peter Paul
Rubens. The artist was actively involved in Rubens’
workshop, his principal contribution being as a
designer for prints. Thus, from 1627 he produced
drawings for engravings after Rubens for the Plantin
Press, continuing this work until much later in his
life. He also made preparatory oil sketches for the
same purpose from c. 1640 until the mid-1650s, after
which he concentrated increasingly on designing
book illustrations and tapestries.