JANSSENS (Abraham), history-painter, was born at Antwerp in 1569. He was contemporary with Rubens, and also his competitor, and in many of the finest parts of the art was accounted not inferior to that celebrated master. It is reported, that having wasted his time and his substance by a life of dissipation and pleasure, and falling into necessitous circumstances, which he imputed more to ill fortune than to his own neglect of his business, he grew envious at the grandeur in which Rubens appeared, and impatient at his merit and success; and with peevish insolence challenged him to paint a picture with him only for fame, which he was willing to submit to impartial judges. But Rubens rejected the proposal, answering with modesty, that he freely submitted to him, and the world would certainly do justice to them both.
Sandrart, who had seen several of his works, assures us, that he not only gave a fine roundness and relief to his figures, but also such a warmth and clearness to the carnations, that they had all the look of real flesh; and his colouring was as durable as it was beautiful, retaining its original lustre for a number of years. His most capital performance is said to be a resurrection of Lazarus, which is in the cabinet of the elector Palatine, and is an object of admiration to all who behold it.