MEEREN, or MEER, (John Vander,) called the Old, an esteemed painter, was born in 1627; but the master, under whom he learned the art of painting, is not mentioned. His genius directed him to choose for his subjects sea-pieces, landscapes, and views of the sea and its shores; which he painted with great truth, as he had accustomed himself to sketch every scene after nature. The situations of his landscapes are agreeably chosen, frequently they are solemn, and generally pleasing. The forms of his trees are easy and natural, his distances well observed, and the whole scenery has a striking effect, by a happy opposition of his lights and shadows. He also very often painted battles in such a style as met with approbation; as they showed good composition, were touched with spirit, and had a great deal of transparency in the colouring. But the fault imputable to Vander Meer is, that in some of his pictures the back-grounds are a little too blue, and that some of his landscapes have a tint which appears rather too yellowish. He died in 1690.