BACKER, or BAKKER, Jacob, painter of portrait and history, was born at Harlingen in 1609, but spent the greatest part of his life at Amsterdam; and by all the writers on this subject, he is mentioned as an extraordinary painter, particularly of portraits, which he executed with strength, spirit, and a graceful resemblance. He was remarkable for an uncommon readiness of hand and freedom of pencil; and his incredible expedition in his manner of painting, appeared even in one portrait of a lady from Haarlem, that he painted at half length, which was begun and finished in one day, though he adorned the figure with rich drapery and several ornamental jewels. He also painted historical subjects with good success; and in that style there is a fine picture of Cimon and Iphigenia, which is accounted by the connoisseurs an excellent performance. In designing academic figures his expression was so just, and his outlines so correct, that he obtained the prize from all his competitors; and his works are still bought up at very high prices in the Low Countries. In the collection of the Elector Palatine there is an excellent head of Brouwer, painted by this master; and in the Carmelites church at Antwerp is preserved a capital picture of the Last Judgment, which is well designed and well coloured. He died in 1651.