Peter van Bloemen

Who was Peter van Bloemen?

Pieter van Bloemen, called Standaart, first name also spelled Peter or Peeter, was a Flemish painter.

Van Bloemen was born in Antwerp, where he attained the status of master at the age of 17. He then went to Rome, where he remained until 1694, adopting completely Italian manners. In 1699 he became dean of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp. He was the teacher of his younger brother Jan Frans van Bloemen, a highly regarded painter of classical landscapes. The brothers travelled widely together, often collaborating on works, with Pieter taking on the role of figurista in Jan Frans' vedute, a role he also performed for many other artists.

A prolific painter, Van Bloemen was at his best painting animals, although he also produced a wide range of landscape, genre, military and history scenes. His nickname, attached to him by the Schildersbent, the confraternity of Dutch and Flemish artists active in Rome, is thought to be a reference to the standards and banners that he so often depicted in his scenes of soldiers.

He died in his native city of Antwerp. His brothers were also well-known painters.