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 waited his time and his subsistence 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.