MIREVELT (Michael Janfen), portrait-painter, was the son of a goldsmith, and born at Delft in 1568. His father, perceiving his early inclination for the arts, placed him at first with one of the Wierixes, of whom he learned to draw in crayons and to engrave. At the age of twelve he executed a print of the Samaritan woman; and not long after a figure of Judith holding the head of Holofernes. These juvenile performances attracted the notice of Anthony Blockland, an historical painter of great note; and under his instructions Mirevelt took up the pencil. He was very successful in his attempts at painting history; but finding portraits to be more profitable, he quitted the former by degrees, and applied himself to portrait painting only. His reputation, according to De Piles, was so great, that he exacted what price for his pictures he pleased, never taking less than 150 florins a piece. The portraits drawn and painted by this artist are exceedingly numerous; and many of them were excellently engraved by William James Delft, his near relation, a very skilful artist. He died in 1641.