Gillis Backereel

Gillis Backereel (1572 or 1610/1612 – between 1654 and 1662) was a Flemish painter of history subjects. The artist was principally active in Antwerp where he produced various compositions for the local churches as well as mythological compositions.

Life Details about the life of Gillis Backereel are sketchy and disputed. It was traditionally believed that he was born in Antwerp in 1572 or at the end of the 16th century. It is more likely that he was born c. 1610-1612 since the artist was recorded in Rome as being 24 years old both in 1634 and in 1636. It is possible that the birth dates of two artists with the same name who were possibly relatives of different generations (father and son?) have been mixed up. The Dutch art historian Godefridus Johannes Hoogewerff identified an 'Egidio de Bacchare' who lived on Strada Paolina in Rome and was buried in the cemetery of Campo Santo on 7 September 1626 with Gillis Backereel. Possibly this Egidio was the elder namesake. Today Gillis is one of only three Backereel family members whose life is reasonably documented. The other two are Willem Backereel and Jacques Backereel. Willem Backereel enjoyed a reputation as a landscape painter. He had moved to Rome where he died young. On 2 June 1642 he acted in Rome as the godfather at the baptism of Egidio van Vilvoorden, a son of the Flemish painter Jan van Vilvoorden.

He lived a relatively quiet and secluded life after his return to Antwerp. In the guild year 1651-1652 he employed four apprentices including Dominicus Beselaer, Pier Maille, Francis de Crayer and Frans (François) de Hase.