Johann Baptiste Bouttats

Johann Baptiste Bouttats or Jan Baptist Bouttats (1680s – 1743) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and etcher who worked in a wide variety of genres including history, landscapes, architecture, topological views, marine scenes and still lifes. He was active in Antwerp, Bohemia, Silesia and England.

Life

There are very few details about Bouttats' early life and training. He was a member of the Bouttats family of artists, who were active in Antwerp and worked mainly as engravers and painters. He was likely born in Antwerp where he became master in the Guild of Saint Luke in 1707. John was a painter, art restorer and art dealer. Thanks to his contacts in Antwerp John was able to import several paintings from Antwerp collections into England in the 1760s.

Johann Baptiste died in 1743. Most of his works are found in Bohemia and Silesia.

During his stay in England he also painted a scene of A Dutch Mansion with Garden, signed and dated 1730. It is not clear whether the painting represents a specific mansion (some have suggested Huis Rijswijk in Gelderland in the Dutch Republic) or perhaps an ideal, imaginary house. The painting entitled The Arrival of Charles II at The Hague, 15 May 1660 dated 1738 depicts the events leading to the Restoration of Charles II of England. It shows the process of disembarkation by Charles II when he arrived at The Hague and was greeted by courtiers. The painting was likely based on prints.

A few still lifes by him are known. A flower still life painting of Flowers in a porcelain bowl dated 1721 was sold at Bonhams. It represents flowers in a bowl placed on a stone plinth. A similar painting dated 1728, which was an overdoor piece, was sold by Christie’s. These still lifes are painted with a broad brush and less detail than the paintings in the National Maritime Museum.