Le Feu

1596–1625 · Workplace

Antwerp

23 January 1599

Marries Isabella de Jode

In Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady Brueghel married Isabella de Jode, daughter of the cartographer, engraver and publisher Gerard de Jode.

4 October 1601

Burgher of Antwerp and dean of the Guild of Saint Luke

In September 1601 Brueghel, a free master of the Guild of Saint Luke since 1597, was elected its dean, but only a burgher of Antwerp could hold the post. On 4 October he was registered as a burgher, 'Jan Bruegel, Peetersone, schilder, van Bruessele', took office as dean and was re-elected in 1602.

1603

Death of his first wife, Isabella de Jode

In the year their daughter Paschasia was born (Rubens was her godfather, as he had been for their eldest son Jan in 1601), Isabella died, leaving the painter with two young children; it has been speculated that her death was linked to the birth.

1606

Court painter to the Archdukes Albert and Isabella

Brueghel was appointed court painter to the sovereigns of the Spanish Netherlands and spent periods in Brussels in 1606, 1609, 1610 and 1613. Thanks to the Archduchess he had access to the court greenhouses with their rarest plants, and he studied animals from life in the court menagerie.

13 January 1625