Jan Griffier was a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his landscapes, topographical views, and animal paintings. He was born around 1652 in the Netherlands, although the exact place of his birth is not documented. Griffier is believed to have been a pupil of the landscape painter Roelant Roghman.
Griffier moved to England around the 1670s and made a significant part of his career there. He became known for his detailed and picturesque landscapes, often incorporating the River Thames and other English scenery. His work was influenced by the Dutch landscape tradition, and he was particularly adept at depicting the changing effects of light and atmosphere.
In England, Griffier quickly gained patronage and his works became sought after. He was also one of the early artists to make engravings of his own paintings, which helped spread his fame. In 1695, a catastrophic explosion of a gunpowder barge on the Thames destroyed Griffier's home and many of his early works. Despite this setback, he continued to paint and rebuild his collection.
Around 1700, Griffier returned to the Netherlands for a brief period, where he continued to paint Dutch landscapes and river scenes. He eventually returned to England and continued his work until his death in 1718. Griffier's legacy includes influencing the next generation of landscape painters in England. His son, Jan Griffier the Younger, also became a painter, continuing the family tradition.
