BREDAEL

bredael, jan frans van (1683-1750), flemish painter, son of alexander van bredael (d. 1720), who was also an artist, was born in antwerp. he imitated the style of wouverman and breughel with such dexterity that even connoisseurs are often unable to distinguish his copies of their pictures from the originals. he visited england, where he was so well employed that in a few years he was able to retire to his native country with a competency. the earl of derwentwater was one of his chief patrons. there were several other van bredaels, who won honour as artists--notably pieter (1622-1719), alexander's father, and jozef (1688-1739). they were formerly known as "breda," but this apparently is incorrect, though it occurs as a signature on a picture by jan frans in the amsterdam gallery.