Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen

Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen was an artist whose documented activity spanned the late 16th and early 17th centuries, specifically recorded between 1580 and 1605. His work is held in major international collections, establishing his significance in art history through holdings at the Rijksmuseum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The surviving works attributed to van Vianen demonstrate proficiency across multiple media, though his primary output represented in museum collections is graphic art. Records indicate twelve drawings, two metalworks, and one other item are preserved in these institutions. The surviving works cover varied genres, encompassing religious narrative, mythological scenes, and genre landscape.

Notable examples of his output include the religious subjects Heilige familie met Elizabeth en Johannes de Doper, The Holy Family, and Ss. Sebastian, Catherine and Roch. Works addressing mythology and genre scenes, such as Landschap met een vrijend paartje and Diana and a Leering Satyr in a Forest, further demonstrate the breadth of his subject matter.

The documentation of these museum-quality works confirms van Vianen’s historical standing. Given his active dates, much of the graphic art attributed to Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen is now considered public domain, allowing high-quality prints of his drawings to be made widely accessible for research and educational purposes.