Simon Johannes Van Douw (c.1630-c.1680), The Horse Market, Signed

Simon Johannes van DOUW (c.1630-c.1680) the horse market Oil on canvas signed lower center "S. V DOUW F" (see photo) Size: 40 x 58.5 cm Size with frame: 51 x 70 cm Simon Johannes VAN DOUW (c.1630-c.1680) is a Flemish Baroque painter Nothing is known about the youth and training of Simon Johannes van Douw, except that he was a member of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp in April 1654. In June 1656, he married Johanna Soolmaeckers, perhaps related to the painter Jan Frans Soolmaker. At the end of the same year, on November 1, 1656, he was admitted to the Guild of St. Luke in Middelburg. From 1656, he also had students in Antwerp, including Pieter van Bloemen and Carel Fonteyn. Between 1659 and 1677, his presence is attested in Rotterdam, then in Antwerp from 1664, the year he opened a school teaching battle painting, to 1677, which suggests that he worked simultaneously in both cities. He began by painting battle scenes, then, influenced by painters like Philips Wouwerman, he began to paint horse market scenes, hunting scenes, all in a sometimes Italianate landscape, even if we do not know that he made the trip to Italy.