Jan Fyt Biography

Jan Fyt (1611-1661) was a still-life, animal and flower painter, especially famous for his depiction of trophies from the hunt.

He was born and worked in Antwerp, where he was taught by Frans Snijders. In 1633-4 he was in Paris, on his way to Italy. He may have visited the Netherlands; Dutch influence probably helped to moderate his early Baroque style. By 1641 he had returned to Antwerp. 

Fyt's most characteristic paintings are in the Snijders tradition, depicting trophies of the hunt, dead stags, hares, and birds, all treated with a vigorous feeling for texture. His rare flower paintings are exceptionally fine and perhaps more attuned to modern taste.