Jacob Neeffs

Jacob Neeffs was a printmaker active during the mid-17th century, with his documented artistic output spanning the years 1636 to 1645. His body of work represented in institutional collections consists of highly detailed prints, primarily focusing on historical, military, and classical mythological subjects.

Neeffs is known chiefly for his contributions as an engraver to the volume Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi, Hispaniarum Infantis... by Guillielmus Becanus. His plates from this project illustrate specific moments in European military history and antiquity. Notable plates include Plate 22: Emperor Charles V, victory at Pavia, documenting a key event of the Italian Wars, and Plate 29: Germany conquered by Drusus. His classical subjects, such as Plate 31: The triumph of Scipio Africanus and the mythological composition Plate 28: Mars on horseback at center, and Romulus and Remus with the wolf at lower left, further demonstrate his engagement with historical narrative and heroic themes.

Eight prints by Jacob Neeffs are represented in major museum collections, establishing the scope of his documented activity. These high-quality prints are preserved by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. The historical nature of Jacob Neeffs prints, often available through museum databases, places many of his works within the public domain.