(John Van), painter of history, landscapes, and boys, was born at Antwerp in 1611; and derived his knowledge of the art, and his fine taste of drawing and design, from his father Hendrick Van Balen; but, as soon as he had made a competent progress, he travelled to Rome, and lived for several years in that and other cities of Italy. There he acquired a good gusto of design, tho' he was sometimes incorrect; and his particular merit was shown in his naked figures of boys, cupids, nymphs bathing or hunting, of which subjects he painted a considerable number; and he procured both praise and riches by his landscapes and histories. His pictures were well handled, his trees touched with spirit, and his herbage and verdure looked natural and lively. The carnations of his figures were clear and fresh; his colouring in general was transparent; and the airs of his heads were in the manner of Albano.