Simon Johannes van Douw

Simon Johannes van Douw (c. 1630 – after 1677 before 1697) was a Flemish painter and draughtsman. His work ranges from Italianizing landscapes, equestrian skirmishes and battles to cattle market and hunting scenes. He worked in Antwerp, Middelburg and Rotterdam.

Life There are no details about the place of birth of Simon Johannes van Douw. It is possible that he was born in Antwerp. It is not known with whom he trained. He became a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1655. He married Johanna Soolmaeckers in 1656. It is not clear whether she was related to the landscape painter Jan Frans Soolmaker. From this year he also had pupils in Antwerp.

On 1 November 1656 he became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke in Middelburg. He was active in Middelburg until September 1657. From 1659 he is recorded in Rotterdam. Here he was referred to as a 'burgher and painter' when he was involved in the sale of a house in 1666. He is documented in Rotterdam until 1677. From 1666 he is also recorded in Antwerp so he seems to have been active in Rotterdam and Antwerp at the same time. His last recorded work dates from 1677. It is not known when or where he died.

His pupils include Pieter van Bloemen and Carel Fonteyn. The Italian influence is also evident in van Douw's human figures, which are often plump and round-faced, reminiscent of the genre painters in the circle of the Bamboccianti. A number of Flemish painters such as Anton Goubau and Pieter Casteels II were painting similar scenes.