PETER VAN, a celebrated painter, born at Antwerp, was brother to John Frans Van Bloemen, called by the Italians ORIZONTI, and lived for several years at Rome along with his brother. As soon as he found himself competently skilled in colouring and penciling, as well as in designing, he returned to his native city, where, in the year 1699, he was appointed director of the academy. The composition of this master is rich, and his pictures are generally filled with a number of figures. His subjects are, the marchings of squadrons of cavalry, encampments, artillery, battles, Italian fairs, markets, and festivals; in which he showed great correctness in his design and in his drawing; and an elegance in the manner of dressing his figures; whom he frequently represented in oriental habits. He designed horses in an admirable style; and in his battles gave them abundance of spirit, graceful attitudes, and an expression that was full of life and nature. His landscapes are enriched with elegant architecture, with basso-relievos, and mutilated statues, in a noble taste; and rendered still more pleasing by a good tone of colour, by animals of different kinds, and excellent figures.—His best works are admired in all parts of Europe, and afford large prices: but it is to be observed, that some of his pictures seem rather to be too too much laboured or stiff, and (according to the artists phrase) smell of the palette; and those are proportionably less estimable.

John Francis Van. Vid. ORIZONTI.

Norbert Van, brother of the preceding, was a painter of portraits and conversations; but in merit was very inferior to his brothers, although he had a good deal of employment.