The Life and Travels of Jan Peeter Verdussen
Born in Antwerp, Belgium, around 1700, Jan Peeter Verdussen was a Flemish painter, draftsman, and printmaker. He was the son of Pieter Verdussen and Elisabeth le Febure, and he likely received his artistic training from his father. His family had deep roots in the arts, as his father was a battle painter and his aunt, Chatharina Verdussen, was also a painter.
Verdussen's career took him across Europe. He arrived in Turin on 31 March 1743, where he served as the court painter to Charles Emmanuel III, the King of Sardinia. During this time, he accompanied the king on military campaigns. Following his time in Turin, he moved to France, appearing in Marseille in 1744. He eventually became a member and later a director of the local Academy in Marseille before settling in Avignon, where he died on 31 March 1763.
Artistic Themes and Works
The works of Verdussen are characterized by a variety of subject matters, most notably:
His paintings often depicted historical events, such as the victories of his patron, including renderings of the Battle of Guastalla. Some of these works were once erroneously attributed to Hyacynthe de La Pegna before payment receipts confirmed they were the work of Verdussen. Additionally, he produced a series of 12 etchings titled Horses and landscapes, which depict horses engaged in activities like hunting, battle, cart pulling, and agricultural work, as well as a scene featuring three cows near a river.
