34. Gerard Segars
Was born at Antwerp, and bred up under Abraham Jansens, at the request of some great lovers of Painting he travelled to Rome, where with great diligence and pains, he copied some of the Works of the most famous Italian Painters, furnishing his own Countrey with what he found most rare amongst them. His Copies were esteemed not much inferiour to the Originals. He was so ravished with those miracles of art he beheld there, that he could not without great difficulty be got thence, till Cardinal Zapata, the King of Spains Embassa∣dour at Rome, with great importunity prevailed upon him to accompany him to Madrid, where he Presented him to the King, who conferred several Honors upon him as a Mark of his esteem. He so nearly resembled the best of the Italian Painters in their greatest Elegance, that when he had finished that incomparable Piece of the Crucifixion of St. Peter, some of the best Judgments presently took it to be done by the hands of Michael Angelo Caravaggio. Most of the Churches at Antwerp are adorned with his Works. He made for the Duke of Newbourgh a picture of the Blessed Virgin, which pleased him so extraordinarily, that he rewarded him with a Gold Chain, and a Medal over and above the full price of his Work. He fixed at last at Antwerp, where he built himself a stately house, and adorned it with a great Collection of curious Paintings gathered from all parts, with great cost and industry, and there peacea∣bly ended his daies in the year 1651. about 60 years of age.