Huysum, Jan van (1682–1749)

Dutch flower painter. He painted both in oil and watercolour. His oils are characterized by elaborate composition, lavish detail, and the use of a light background, which was his innovation.

He was born in Amsterdam, the son of Justus van Huysum (1659–1716), also a flower painter. He painted a few landscapes, but achieved an international reputation in his lifetime with his flower paintings. He insisted on observing details from life, sometimes delaying completion of a work until a particular flower had come back into season. He worked throughout his life in Amsterdam.