TORRENTIUS (John), a painter of Amsterdam, born at Haarlem in 1589, who excelled in representing objects of still life, and sometimes painted conversations which were admired for a lovely tone of colouring. While he practised in this manner, he lived in general esteem and affluence; but, unhappily, he grew abandoned in his morals, and equally so in his style of painting, prostituting a delicate pencil to the most obscene and depraved purposes. At last, by instituting a secret society of Adamites, he attracted the notice of the magistrates, who brought him to trial; and as he denied his own performances, and any connection with his detestable assembly, he was condemned to the torture, his lewd pictures were burned by the common executioner, and he was sentenced to the house of correction for 20 years. He supported the torture with incredible obstinacy; and after some time of confinement, being released at the request of the English ambassador, he went to London, where he resided for a few years. But the English, who detested his profligacy more than they admired his art, discontenanced him so much that he retired to Amsterdam, where he died in obscurity and contempt in 1640.