24. Octavio Venus
Was Born at Leyden, in the year 1558. of a very good Family, his Father being one of the principal Magistrates of that City, brought up in Learning under Cardinal Groesbeck, Bishop and Prince of Liege, un∣der whom he profited exceedingly, in all manner of polite li∣terature. At the same time that he studied Philosophy, Poetry, and Mathematicks; he also exercised himself in Painting, by the advice and assistance of Thadaeus Zuchero, who foresaw some∣thing extraordinary in his blooming years: At length he be∣came renowned nor only for his works, which he wrote in Di∣vinity, History and other Sciences, but for the rare strokes of his Pencil, which recommended him into the service of the Em∣peror, the Duke of Bavaria, and the Elector of Cologne, where he was entertained with respect suitable to his deserts, He was afterwards employed by the Prince of Parma, Governor of the Low Countries, for the King of Spaine who made him his Engi∣neer and Painter. He was of so excellent a disposition, that it be∣ing joined with great Learning and Industry, made him belov∣ed by all the Court. His Picture of the Arch-Duke Albert, and the Infanta Isabella, drawn in full proportion, was sent to K. James the 1st of England. Antwerp has several of his pieces in divers Churches. He had the glory of forming the mind of Rubens, the Apelles of the age. He died at Brussels in the year. 1625. Aged about 71. He left behind him 2 daughters both excellent in their fathers Art, the eldest named Cornelia who was married to a rich Merchant at Antwerp, the other. Ger∣trude, who hath signalized both her love to his memory, and her Pencil, by drawing his Picture in the manner as you see it here represented by the Graver.