Denis, an eminent Flemish painter, born at Antwerp in 1553. After studying for some time in his native city he went to Bologna, where he perfected himself in the anatomy of the human form under Prospero Fontana. From Bologna he went to Rome, where he assisted Sablatini in his works for the papal palace, and devoted much of his time to copying and studying the works of Raphael. He ultimately returned to Bologna, and founded a school, of which the greatest ornaments are Guido and Domenichino. His works are especially admired for the power of grouping and colouring which they display. He died at Bologna in 1619.