Jacob II Savery Paintings

Jacob II Savery was a Flemish-born painter active during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was born around 1565 in Kortrijk, which was then part of the Spanish Netherlands. Savery's family was artistically inclined; his father, Jacob Savery the Elder, and his brother, Roelant Savery, were also painters. The Savery family moved to Haarlem in the Dutch Republic due to the turbulent religious and political climate in the Spanish Netherlands, which was heavily impacted by the Protestant Reformation and the Eighty Years' War.

Jacob II Savery's work was influenced by the Flemish tradition, as well as the burgeoning Dutch Renaissance style. He is particularly known for his landscape paintings, which often included detailed depictions of animals and scenes from rural life. His landscapes typically reflect a Mannerist style, characterized by their highly stylized composition and the use of vivid colors. Savery also produced genre scenes, allegories, and mythological subjects. His work shares similarities with that of his brother Roelant, and there may have been some collaboration or influence between the two.

In 1587, Jacob II Savery moved to Amsterdam, where he became a master in the Guild of St. Luke. Later, he relocated to the city of Prague, where he worked at the court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor. The emperor's court was a significant center for arts and science, attracting many artists, including Savery, who contributed to the cultural vibrancy of the period. Savery's stay in Prague was a productive period; he enjoyed the patronage of the emperor, which allowed him to further refine his artistic style.

Savery's career in Prague did not last long, however, as he died prematurely in 1603. Despite his relatively short life, his artistic legacy continued through the works of his brother and other artists who were influenced by his style. Savery's paintings can be found in various art collections across Europe, and they continue to be studied for their contribution to the development of landscape painting in the Dutch and Flemish traditions.