Flemish landscape painter, active mainly in Rome, where he settled
in about 1575. Bril painted frescos, but his fame rests on his small
easel paintings. He lived long enough to assimilate some of the
qualities of Elsheimer's and Annibale Carracci's landscapes and his
work bridges the gap between the fantastic 16th century Flemish
Mannerist style and the more plausible, idealized Italian landscapes
of the 17th century. He also made views of Rome for the tourist
trade, and marine pictures. His conception of both of these subjects
had considerable influence upon Agostino Tassi, the teacher of
Claude Lorrain, and upon Claude himself. Paul's brother, Matthew or
Mattheus (1550-83), also worked in Rome, and their work is hard to
differentiate.
Paul (1554–1626) and Matthijs (1550–1583) Bril (or Brill) were
brothers, both born in Antwerp, who were landscape painters who
worked in Rome after earning papal favor.
Self-Portrait
1595-1600
Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence
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