Peter I Casteels Paintings

Peter I Casteels was a Flemish painter, engraver, and publisher who was born in Antwerp in 1684. He was part of the prominent Casteels family of artists, with his father being a painter as well, though not much is documented about his early life and training. Casteels is known to have been a versatile artist, but he specialized in still lifes, particularly those depicting flowers, birds, and game. His style was influenced by the Baroque tradition and his works are characterized by their vibrant colors, detailed naturalism, and dynamic compositions.

Casteels moved to England around 1708 and spent most of his career there. In England, he continued to paint, but also branched out into other ventures, including publishing sets of engravings. One of his major contributions was a series of prints of birds, which were meant for use by other artists as models for decorative work. This series, titled 'A Set of Birds, in Number 24', was published in 1733 and exemplified Casteels' keen observation and ability to depict the natural world.

Another notable work of Casteels was his 'Twelve Months of Flowers', a series of paintings created in 1730, which was later engraved and published. These paintings were arrangements of flowers that bloomed in each month of the year, combining both artistic beauty and scientific interest, as they were part of the growing fascination with botany at the time.

Despite his success as an artist and publisher, there is relatively little documentation of Casteels' life in England. It is believed that he was active in London's artistic circles and may have been associated with other Flemish artists who had also relocated there. Peter I Casteels died in Richmond, Surrey, in 1749, leaving behind a legacy of work that continues to be appreciated for its contribution to the still life genre and its intersection with the natural sciences.