PETRUS, an eminent historical painter, was born in France in 1659, and at the age of eighteen was employed in the royal palaces. He came to England in 1681, to work under Rambour, a French painter of architecture; but after staying a year, he returned to Marli. He revisited this country, however, and was employed by King William to decorate the palace then building at Loo, which occupied him fifteen months. Coming to England a third time, he painted the ceiling of the chapel of Trinity College, Oxford, the staircase at the Duke of Schomberg's in Pall-mall, the summer-house at Ranelagh, and various other works. Towards the close of his life he retired to Marybone, and painted only small pieces of fabulous history. He died there in January 1720.