The Life of Jan Frans van Son
Jan Frans van Son was a Flemish still life painter born in Antwerp. As the son of the prominent still life painter Joris van Son, he was baptized on 16 August 1658. Following the death of his father before Jan Frans reached the age of nine, he trained under the still life artist Jan Pauwel Gillemans the Elder. He traveled to England at a young age and established a successful career in London.
In London, he married Elizabeth Harler on 6 May 1684 at the St Marylebone Parish Church. His marriage brought powerful connections and lucrative patronage through his wife, who was the niece of the king's serjeant-painter Robert Streater. He was also patronized by Charles Robartes, earl of Radnor. Records indicate he lived in St Martin in the Fields, New Street Ward, Long Acre North, and later moved to St. Albans Street, St. James's.
Artistic Style and Works
Van Son’s artistic repertoire included flower pieces, fruit still lifes, banquet still lifes, and garland paintings. He signed his works using the signatures "J van Son" or "JF van Son". His style was more in line with his teacher, Jan Pauwel Gillemans the Elder, rather than that of his father.
Some of his works include:
- Three still lifes at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, which were likely intended as overdoors and an overmantel for interior decoration.
It is believed that he died in London, possibly following the death of his daughter Bridget. The biographer Jacob Campo Weyerman, who moved to London after van Son's death, took over and finished some of the artist's unfinished flower paintings and sketches.
