MIERIS, FRANCIS, an artist, was born at Leyden in 1635. His father, who was a goldsmith, was not favourable at first to the wishes of his son to study the art of painting; but owing to the progress made by Francis in painting on glass, he was induced to allow him to enter the school of Gerard Douw. The young artist soon out-rivalled all his fellow-students. Mieris is remarkable for the beauty of his colouring and the minuteness and truth of his delineations. The quality of the dresses of his figures can be easily distinguished; and his paintings of silk, satin, and velvet, are highly admired. His subjects are for the most part ordinary domestic scenes. One of these, the picture of a fainting lady and a physician, was sold for 1500 florins. Mieris died in 1681.