Cornelius, portrait and history painter, was born at Antwerp in 1630, and was the disciple of Ferdinand Bol. His pencil, his tint of colouring, his style and manner, had a strong resemblance of his master; and by many competent judges he is esteemed not inferior to him in historical subjects as well as in portrait, having been always assiduous to study after nature. A painting by this master, consisting of a few figures by candle light, was so much admired by Louis XIV. that he purchased it at a high price, and placed it in the royal collection; and the king of Denmark admitted his works among those of the best masters. However, notwithstanding the encomiums bestowed on this master by the Flemish writers, an impartial judge would perhaps think his compositions but heavy and without expression, and his works in general not worthy of all that commendation which is lavished upon them. He died in 1674.

Abraham, son of Cornelius Bishop, was instructed instructed by his father to design historical subjects and portraits; but preferred the painting of fowl, particularly those of the domestic kind, to any other subjects which were recommended to him. He designed every object after nature, and usually painted in a large size, such as ornamental furniture for grand halls; and every species of fowl was so exactly like nature in its attitude, character, and plumage, that his works were beheld with universal approbation.