A Dutch artist of the Golden Age, a master of portrait, historical and genre painting.
Frans was born into the family of a jeweler and diamond cutter Jan Bastiaensz van Mieris and his second wife Christina Willemsz van Garbartijn.

Naturally, his father wanted his son to continue his business, so from 1647 the young man studied jewelry art with his cousin, the jeweler Willem Fransz van Mieris.

But Frans himself preferred painting; in his father’s workshop he “spied” on the types and outfits of visitors of different classes, which he sketched on paper. In 1650 he began studying with the father of the artist Jacob Toorenvliet (1640 – 3 January 1719), the drawing teacher and glass artist Abraham Toorenvliet (1620–1692). Frans soon left Toorenvliet to become a student of the greatest representative of the Leiden school of art, Rembrandt’s student, the famous painter Gerard Dou or Gerrit Douw (7 April 1613 – 9 February 1675), who called van Mieris “the prince” among his students.

Frans later studied for a short time in the workshop of Abraham Lambertsz. van den Tempel (1622 – 8 October 1672). Van Mieris lived his entire life in Leiden. Here the artist began his independent career, and was friends with his colleague, the artist Jan Steen, for many years. In 1658, Frans became a member of the Guild of St. Luke in Leiden, and in 1663 and 1664 he was elected its captain, and in 1665 — chairman (dean). Mieris had numerous customers, among whom were high-ranking patrons. The artist was commissioned to paint by Archduke Leopold and the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de Medici.

By the way, about this self-portrait called “Cavalier” (A Cavalier (Self Portrait), 1657-1659), it is known that the painting was donated to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, in 1993 by media magnate and philanthropist James Fairfax. But in early June 2007, the painting was stolen from the gallery. I have not come across any information about whether it has been found or not.

Van Mieris painted mainly genre scenes, portraits and historical subjects, mostly of small size. His paintings are distinguished by their fine execution and careful depiction of the smallest details on the canvas.

About the Frans van Mieris ‘s family.

Frans van Mieris married in 1657 in Leiden. The artist’s chosen one was Kunertje Cornelis van der Cock, about whom, alas, nothing is known. On March 15, 1657, the wedding took place, witnesses at which were the artist Jan Potheuck (December 25, 1626 – March 17, 1670), who came to Leiden in 1652, and his acquaintance Elizabeth van Oostende. By the way, the church marriage registration record is, according to historians, the earliest written evidence of the artist’s existence.

Five children were born in this marriage. Most likely, two of them died in infancy, since all sources mention only three – two sons Jan (1660-1690) and Willem (1662-1747), who also became famous artists (we will talk about them a little later), and the youngest daughter Christina, born in Leiden around 1664. On April 2, 1683, Christina married Matthijs van der Eyck (born around 1662 in Doesburg). Witnesses at the wedding were Matthijs’s cousin and the bride’s mother. Nothing else is known about Frans van Mieris’s daughter.

Frans van Mieris died on December 3, 1681 in Leiden at the age of 45. The artist’s early death allowed some of his biographers to name among its causes the artist’s friendship with Jan Steen, known for his love of carousing and wine, and, as a result, the allegedly disorderly life of Frans himself. Historians recognize such accusations as unfounded due to the fact that, according to the recollections of contemporaries, the artist had a rare love of work and painted more than 140 completed paintings during his career (a large number for those times). In addition, self-portraits of the late period show us that Frans was ill, since he became obese.

When the artist died, his workshop and customers were “inherited” by his middle son Willem, who, in turn, bequeathed his legacy and workshop to his son, named after his father – Frans.

A large collection of paintings by Frans van Mieris the Elder is in the Picture Gallery of The Hague and the Old Pinakothek in Munich, six paintings are kept in our Hermitage. In addition, the artist’s works are in the Louvre in Paris, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Dresden Gallery, the Vienna Museum, the Kassel Gallery, etc.

Finally, three more self-portraits of the artist from the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Alas, I could not find images of better quality and without logos.