Jan Franse Verzijl

Verzijl was born in 1602 or 1603 in Gouda as the son of Frans Leendertsz. Verzijl (c. 1565-1615) and Grietje Jans (c. 1573-1658). Houbraken listed him with the Gouda painters Jan Damesz de Veth, Jan en Pieter Donker as noteworthy artists. He may have traveled to Italy and spent around 1625 some time in Rome. He may also have traveled to the Spanish Netherlands. He was a pupil of Wouter Crabeth after the latter's return from Italy in 1626. His notary was the Catholic Nicolaas Straffintveld, who also counted Petrus Purmerent, Jacob Catz, Sibertus Kaen, Willem de Swaen and other prominent Catholics among his clients. He married Helena Jans 't Hart in Gouda on 23 October 1639. ==Work==

Only a handful of paintings of the artist are known, three of which are in the possession of the municipality of Gouda. His earliest dated work dates to 1629. He painted portraits and history works including biblical scenes for so-called schuilkerken, i.e clandestine Roman Catholic churches.He is considered one of the Dutch Caravaggisti (i.e. Dutch followers of the style of Caravaggio). The painting still hangs at its original location in the former orphanage building which is now a hotel. ==References==