MARTIN DE, one of the most eminent historical painters of his time, was born at Antwerp in 1531. After studying for some time in the school of Francis Floris, he proceeded to Italy, where he gave great attention to the painters of the Roman school. Proceeding to Venice, he made the acquaintance of Tintoretto, who instructed him in the principles of colouring, and employed him to paint the landscapes to his pictures. He improved greatly under the tuition of Tintoret; and before his return to Antwerp he painted the portraits of several of the family of the Medici. The heads of Martin de Vos are unequalled, for truth and naturalness, by any painter of his time. On reaching the Netherlands, after an absence of eight years, he was commissioned to paint numerous altar-pieces for churches. He was made a member of the Academy in 1559, and died in 1603, after amassing a considerable fortune.

Vos, Simon de, a painter of portraits and history, and a pupil of Rubens, was born at Antwerp in 1603, and died about 1662. More than one of his Scriptural pieces have been mistaken for those of his master, Rubens. Of his portraits Sir Joshua Reynolds speaks in the highest terms, comparing him even to Correggio.