a Flemish painter, son of Pieter Bruegel the Elder and father of Jan Brueghel the Younger. Nicknamed "Velvet" Brueghel, "Flower" Brueghel, and "Paradise" Brueghel, of which the latter two were derived from his floral still lifes and paradise landscapes, while the former may refer to the velveteen sheen of his colors. In about 1589 Jan traveled to Italy, probably via Cologne. While in Italy he applied himself principally to landscapes and history paintings, including Biblical narratives and scenes from mythology and ancient history.
