Matthijs Bril Paintings

Matthijs Bril, also known as Matthijs Bril the Younger, was a Flemish painter born in Antwerp in 1550. He was part of a family of artists; his brother Paul Bril was also a prominent landscape painter. Matthijs probably trained with his father, also named Matthijs Bril, who was a landscape artist as well.

Matthijs moved to Rome at a young age, where he became known for his landscape paintings and frescoes. His works there reveal a strong influence of the Roman countryside and the works of other artists in the region. He was particularly known for his vivid depiction of light and atmosphere, often incorporating architectural elements and ruins into his landscapes which were characteristic of the late Renaissance period.

During his time in Rome, Bril worked on various significant projects, including frescoes for the Vatican under Pope Gregory XIII. These works contributed to his reputation as a master of landscape painting. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he died in 1583 at the relatively young age of about 33.

Although his life was brief, Matthijs Bril left behind a body of work that had a considerable influence on landscape painting in Rome. His style also had a lasting impact on his brother Paul, who continued the family tradition of landscape painting and achieved much acclaim in his own right. Matthijs Bril's works are now part of various collections in art galleries and museums around the world, attesting to his skill and contributions to the art of landscape painting in the Renaissance era.