Pieter II Casteels Paintings

Pieter Casteels II was a Flemish painter born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1684. He was part of the Casteels family of artists and the son of Pieter Casteels I, who was also a painter. Casteels II is known for his contributions to the Baroque movement and specialized in still lifes, particularly flower pieces, bird studies, and decorative compositions. His work often featured a rich and vibrant use of color and a keen eye for detail, which became characteristic of his style.

Casteels II started his artistic training with his father and later continued his development possibly with other painters in Antwerp. He moved to England around 1708, where he would spend the majority of his career. In England, Casteels worked on various projects, including providing designs for the textile industry, which was flourishing at the time. His series of flower paintings were used as models for the designers and weavers of tapestries and brocades.

In addition to his work in design, Pieter Casteels II produced a series of bird paintings, known as 'Aves Exoticæ', which depicted exotic birds in English collections. These paintings were well-received and contributed to his reputation as a skilled painter of natural history subjects. Casteels' work in this genre was influential in the development of ornithological illustration in England.

Throughout his career, Casteels II also engaged in the business side of art. He was involved in the production and sale of prints and engravings, which further disseminated his work and contributed to his financial success. Despite his prosperity in England, Casteels returned to Antwerp in 1735, where he continued to paint until his death in 1749. His legacy is preserved through his contributions to still life and natural history painting, and his works can be found in various art collections across the world.