JANSENS, Abraham, an historical 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 wasted his substance by a life of dissipation and pleasure, and falling in consequence into necessitous circumstances, which, however, he imputed to ill fortune rather than to his own neglect of his business, he grew envious of the grandeur in which Rubens appeared, and, impatient of his merit and success, challenged him to paint a picture with him for fame alone. But Rubens rejected the proposal, answering with modesty, that he freely submitted to him, and the world would certainly do justice to them both. Sandrart, who had seen several of his works, assures us, that he not only gave a fine roundness and relief to his figures, but also such a warmth and clearness to the carnations, that they had all the appearance of real flesh; and his colouring was as durable as it was beautiful, retaining its original lustre for a number of years. His capital performance is said to have been the resurrection of Lazarus, which was in the cabinet of the elector-palatine, and an object of admiration to all who beheld it.