Life and Lineage
Anna Maria Janssens was the daughter of the Flemish painter Abraham Janssens and Sara Goetkint. Her family connections to the art world were significant, as her mother was the daughter of the painter Peter Goetkint the Elder. On 5 July 1626, she married the painter Jan Brueghel the Younger, a union that resulted in eleven children. While she is not documented as a member of the Antwerp guild of Saint Luke, her presence in historical records is noted through legal documents and inheritance matters. In 1644, she was named as a beneficiary in the will of her mother, and in 1651, she provided testimony in a legal suit involving her sister-in-law, Catharina Goetkint-Brueghel.
Artistic Legacy and Attributions
The artistic identity of Anna Maria Janssens is primarily linked to a signed and undated work titled Still life of Flowers in a Glass Vase. Some scholars have noted that the floral compositions in this piece are reminiscent of the style of Alexander Adriaenssen. Other works have been associated with her name in the art trade, including a Garland of flowers around a medaillon with the Holy Family and a music making angel, which bears the inscription ANNA JANS. Additionally, a painting titled Extensive bouquet of mixed spring and summer flowers in a wooden tub beside a squirrel has been linked to her name by art dealers, though it was previously attributed to the workshop of Jan Brueghel the Younger.
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