Orpheus in the Underworld

1589

To Italy by way of Cologne and Frankenthal

Setting off to complete his training in Italy, as was customary for Flemish painters, Jan first went to Cologne, where his sister Marie lived with her family, and then to Frankenthal, a centre where Flemish landscape painters were active; from there, probably by way of Venice, he reached Naples.

1589–1596

Travel: Italy

1590 · Wirkungsort

Naples

1592–1594

Meets Cardinal Federico Borromeo

In Rome Brueghel enjoyed the protection of Cardinal Ascanio Colonna and met Cardinal Federico Borromeo, a leading figure of the Counter-Reformation and an avid collector, who became his lifelong friend and patron. The painter took up residence in Borromeo's Palazzo Vercelli.

1592–1594

Friendship with the landscape painter Paul Bril

In Rome Brueghel befriended the Antwerp landscape painter Paul Bril; the two worked together and influenced each other, Jan drawing inspiration from Bril's lively drawings and small landscapes. Brueghel lived in Rome until 1595.

1592–1594 · Wirkungsort

Rome