BLOCK, Daniel, portrait painter, was born at Stettin in Pomerania in 1580, and gave early proofs of
a good genius; which induced his parents to place him as a disciple with Jacob Scherer, a master capable of giving him the best directions, to qualify him for proceeding successfully in his profession. He chiefly painted portraits, in which (according to Sandrart) he was very eminent, and had the honour to paint the portraits of Christian IV. king of Denmark, and of Gustavus Adolphus king of Sweden. The extraordinary merit of this master recommended him to the esteem of the prince of Mecklenburg, who retained him in his service for 44 years; and by order of that prince, he painted the portraits of his whole family at full length, as large as life, and in the antique habit; by which works his reputation was established effectually. By the agreeable manner of his colouring, and the easy attitudes of his figures, his paintings became so acceptable to all persons of rank, that before the decline of life, he had acquired a very large fortune; but unfortunately he lost it all, in the compass of a few hours, by the sudden irruption of a plundering party, and with great difficulty his own life was preserved. He died in 1661.