Jacques d'Arthois was a Flemish Baroque painter, born in 1613 in Brussels, then part of the Spanish Netherlands. He is best known for his landscape paintings, which were highly regarded for their realistic depiction of the local woodland scenery. D'Arthois was a pupil of Jan Mertens the Younger and later became influenced by the works of Jan Brueghel the Elder, a prominent landscape painter of the time. His style, however, was distinctively his own, characterized by a harmonious and serene representation of nature.
D'Arthois primarily focused on painting the Sonian Forest near Brussels, and his works were sought after for their calming effect and the sense of tranquility they evoked. He became a master in the Brussels Guild of Saint Luke in 1634, which marked the beginning of his professional career. His paintings often featured forest landscapes with small figures and animals, executed with a remarkable attention to detail and a rich palette.
Throughout his career, Jacques d'Arthois produced a significant number of paintings that were collected by local and international patrons, including members of the nobility and royalty. He also influenced and trained several pupils, including his own brother-in-law, the artist Jan Baptist Bonnecroy.
D'Arthois' work contributed to the development of landscape painting in the Southern Netherlands and he was one of the leading figures in this genre during the 17th century. His legacy includes a large body of work that has been preserved in various museums and collections around the world. Jacques d'Arthois passed away in 1686, leaving behind a rich artistic heritage that continues to be appreciated by art historians and enthusiasts alike.