17^th Century Dutch

Painter of battle scenes, landscapes and seascapes.

Also known as Vermeer van Haarlem the Elder, he was the son of the art dealer Jan Vermeer. The addition “van Haarlem” to the family name was due to the need to differentiate themselves from the Vermeer van Delft family. Jan Vermeer trained in Haarlem, at the studio of the painter Jacob de Wet. In 1654 he joined the Guild of Saint Luke.

Jan van der Meer was first influenced by contemporary landscape painters from his hometown, mostly by Jacob van Ruisdael.

He painted many views of the city outskirts, and at the end of his life he specialised in panoramic views. He also made seascapes, battle and pastoral scenes. His son and disciple Jan van der Meer II (1656-1705) continued working with the same subject matters.