Jan Jacobs (goldsmith)
Jan Jacobs , also Jean Jacobs , (born March 31, 1575 in Brussels ; † September 12, 1650 in Bologna ) was a Flemish goldsmith who contributed to the design of the city of Bologna with his works. The Collegio dei Fiamminghi in Bologna, which he founded , continues to award scholarships to students from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Life
Jan Jacobs was the son of Jan Jacobs and Elisabeth van Oosten, his grandparents were Jan Jacobs and Marie Pannis, whose descent can be traced back to the seven noble houses of Brussels , namely the Sweerts and Sleeuws families.
It is not entirely clear when and why Jan Jacobs came to Bologna, maybe he was traveling with his father, who was a merchant. It is also possible that his parents settled in Bologna as members of the small Flemish community. In any case, it is certain that he became an outstanding goldsmith and respected citizen of Bologna, although he also owned land in Brussels, where the Place Jean Jacobs is today .
On April 24, 1607, he married Judith van der Lip, who came from the United Netherlands , but died eight years later. Their son Pietro Jacobs (* July 31, 1608) lost his mother at the age of seven. Pietro died at the age of 22 on November 18, 1630 during a plague epidemic.
These strokes of fate could have prompted Jan Jacobs to invest his fortune, for which there was no heir, in a foundation that should serve the education and training of young Flemish artists and students.
Works
It quickly became one of the most famous goldsmiths in Bologna. He took part in the cultural life of the city and was friends with many artists, including Guido Reni , who had been trained in Bologna in the school of the Flemish painter Denys Calvaert . Together with them he equipped many monasteries and church buildings on behalf of the church, for example in 1611 he made the silver candlesticks for the high altar of the Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore .
One of his most famous works is the engraved silver plate from 1625, which protects the image of the Madonna that the Evangelist Luke is said to have painted. The icon can be seen on the high altar of the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca in Bologna. In 1641 Jan Jacobs took over the production of a chalice for this church.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Jacobs, Jan |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Jacobs, Jean; Jacobs, Giovanni |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Flemish goldsmith |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 31, 1575 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Brussels |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 12, 1650 |
| Place of death | Bologna |