Jan van Kessel III was a Flemish painter born into a distinguished family of artists in Antwerp in 1664. He was part of the van Kessel dynasty, which included several notable painters who specialized in a variety of genres, including still life, landscape, and animal subjects. Jan van Kessel III was the grandson of Jan van Kessel the Elder, a prominent still life and flower painter, thus inheriting a strong artistic legacy. Despite the prominence of his family, information about his life and career is relatively scarce compared to other members of his family.
Jan van Kessel III's artistic career is not as well-documented as those of his predecessors, but it is known that he continued the family tradition of painting, focusing primarily on landscapes and genre scenes. His works were characteristic of the Flemish Baroque style, known for its meticulous detail, vibrant colors, and dynamic compositions. Although he lived during a period when the art market was highly competitive, and the Baroque style was beginning to give way to the Rococo, van Kessel managed to contribute significant works that reflected the technical skills and thematic preferences inherited from his family lineage.
The lack of extensive records has made it challenging for art historians to fully assess his oeuvre and its impact on the Flemish art scene of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Nevertheless, the surviving works attributed to him suggest that he was a competent artist who upheld the family's artistic standards. Jan van Kessel III passed away in 1708, leaving behind a modest but meaningful legacy within the rich tapestry of Flemish art. His contributions, while overshadowed by those of his more famous relatives, remain an integral part of the van Kessel family's artistic heritage.