Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 19 works by Jacob van Campen in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Jacob van Campen's most famous painting is Diogenes in the market of Athens (1628), whose original hangs in the Centraal Museum, Utrecht. Lenaart Nicasiusz (1651) and Mercury, Argus and Io (1630) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 19 works by Jacob van Campen in our catalog, the gallery presents the 18 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
Jacob van Campen painted Diogenes in the market of Athens in 1628. The work focuses on the philosopher Diogenes amidst a crowded Athenian marketplace. This scene captures the tension between the ascetic philosopher and the bustling urban environment of ancient Greece.
In Lenaart Nicasiusz by Jacob van Campen, an elderly man is captured in a medium close-up, his form rising from the waist up. He is positioned slightly off-center, a choice that introduces a subtle, dynamic tension to the frame. His weathered skin and coarse beard catch a strong, directional light that carves his features out of the gloom. This illumination falls heavily upon his face and his hand, which grips…
In the heart of the Dutch Golden Age, amidst the burgeoning artistic fervor of Haarlem, Jacob van Campen breathed life into a scene of divine tension and mythological drama. His 1630 masterpiece, Mercury, Argus and Io, is far more than a mere depiction of ancient legend; it is an immersive experience that captures the very essence of the Baroque period. The canvas unfolds a narrative steeped in the complexities of…
We are looking at Mauritshuis Naar Ets Van P.Post In Koninklijke Bibliotheek 's-gravenhage, a work by Jacob van Campen. This piece focuses on the Mauritshuis in The Hague. The artist, Jacob van Campen, was born in Haarlem, Netherlands, in 1596 and lived until 1657. His involvement with this specific subject is deeply rooted in the architectural history of the site.
In the heart of the Dutch Golden Age, a period defined by opulent patronage and an unwavering pursuit of beauty, Jacob van Campen breathed life into a scene of divine tension and mythological drama. His 1630 masterpiece, Argus, Mercury and Io, is far more than a mere depiction of ancient legend; it is an immersive experience that captures the very essence of the Baroque period. The canvas unfolds a narrative…
Part of nine-part chamber painting for the house Beekhoven, later called the Hoogerhuis, near Randenbroek near Amersfoort, the country house of Jacob van Campen.
Double Portrait Of Constantijn HuygensMauritshuis
12
Hercules Retrieving Cerberus From The UnderworldRijksmuseum
13
Still Life With A Basket Of Fruit In A NicheRijksmuseum
14
Still Life Of Vegetables And A Parrot In A NicheRijksmuseum
15
Itas Still Life With A Stone TombRijksmuseum
16
Itas Still Life With A Book And A SkullRijksmuseum
17
Itas Still Life With Books, A Violin And An Owl In A Niche
18
The Last JudgmentSt. Joriskerk
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 5 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Jacob van Campen | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Rijksmuseum |
Amsterdam | 9 | Hercules Defeating The Centaurs, Still Life with Books, Sheet Music, Violin, Celestial Globe and an Owl, Jacob van Campen, 1645 - 1650, Still Life With A Basket Of Fruit In A Niche |
 Mauritshuis |
The Hague | 3 | Mercury, Argus and Io, Argus, Mercury and Io, Double Portrait Of Constantijn Huygens |
 Centraal Museum |
Utrecht | 1 | Diogenes in the market of Athens |
 Museum Flehite |
Amersfoort | 1 | Lenaart Nicasiusz |
 St. Joriskerk |
Amersfoort | 1 | The Last Judgment |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
Jacob van Campen painted Diogenes in the market of Athens in 1628. The work focuses on the philosopher Diogenes amidst a crowded Athenian marketplace. This scene captures the tension between the ascetic philosopher and the bustling urban environment of ancient Greece.
In the heart of the Dutch Golden Age, amidst the burgeoning artistic fervor of Haarlem, Jacob van Campen breathed life into a scene of divine tension and mythological drama. His 1630 masterpiece, Mercury, Argus and Io, is far more than a mere depiction of ancient legend; it is an immersive experience that captures the very essence of the Baroque period. The canvas unfolds a narrative steeped in the complexities of…
In the heart of the Dutch Golden Age, a period defined by opulent patronage and an unwavering pursuit of beauty, Jacob van Campen breathed life into a scene of divine tension and mythological drama. His 1630 masterpiece, Argus, Mercury and Io, is far more than a mere depiction of ancient legend; it is an immersive experience that captures the very essence of the Baroque period. The canvas unfolds a narrative…
In Lenaart Nicasiusz by Jacob van Campen, an elderly man is captured in a medium close-up, his form rising from the waist up. He is positioned slightly off-center, a choice that introduces a subtle, dynamic tension to the frame. His weathered skin and coarse beard catch a strong, directional light that carves his features out of the gloom. This illumination falls heavily upon his face and his hand, which grips…
Diogenes in the market of Athens (1628), Centraal Museum, Utrecht. Lenaart Nicasiusz (1651) and Mercury, Argus and Io (1630) come next.
32 years old: Diogenes in the market of Athens dates from 1628, and Jacob van Campen was born in 1596.
Diogenes in the market of Athens, Lenaart Nicasiusz, Mercury, Argus and Io, Mauritshuis Naar Ets Van P.Post In Koninklijke Bibliotheek 's-gravenhage, Argus, Mercury and Io, Hercules Defeating The Centaurs, Still Life with Books, Sheet Music, Violin, Celestial Globe and an Owl, Jacob van Campen, 1645 - 1650, Portrait of the painter Pieter Saenredam, Still Life With A Basket Of Fruit In A Niche and Still Life With A Basket Of Fruit In A Niche. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 19 works by Jacob van Campen, dated from 1628 to 1651.
Mostly in Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), Mauritshuis (The Hague) and Centraal Museum (Utrecht). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1650s: 2 of the 18 works on this page were made then, Lenaart Nicasiusz among them.
On this page, the earliest is Diogenes in the market of Athens (1628) and the latest Lenaart Nicasiusz (1651).
Life (6), Fruits (3) and Man (2), across the 18 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 3 of the 18 works on this page.
Baroque, judging by the originals on this page.
Hercules Defeating The Centaurs, Still Life with Books, Sheet Music, Violin, Celestial Globe and an Owl, Jacob van Campen, 1645 - 1650 and Still Life With A Basket Of Fruit In A Niche: the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam holds 9 of the works on this page.
Jacob van Campen was born in Haarlem, Netherlands, in 1596. He came from a relatively prosperous background, inheriting the estate of Randenbroek near Amersfoort from his mother. He significantly expanded and embellished this estate, later commissioning Caesar van Everdingen to decorate it. Van Campen never married but had one son, Alexander van Campen.
Van Campen was a selective artist, carefully choosing his projects. His artistic development saw him move towards a distinctive style blending architectural precision with Baroque dynamism. He was notably influenced by Paulus Bor, one of the founders of the Bentvueghels – a group of Dutch painters known for their unconventional and often satirical work. This influence is visible in some similarities between Van Campen’s paintings and wall decorations, such as those at Paleis Huis ten Bosch.
Van Campen's primary legacy lies in his architectural contributions. He designed numerous churches, including those at Renswoude and Hooge Zwaluwe, and the Nieuwe Kerk in Haarlem. The Nieuwe Kerk’s design was so significant that Pieter Saenredam created three paintings and eight engravings documenting it. Beyond churches, he also designed gates and towers for prominent Amsterdam landmarks like the Westerkerk and Nieuwe Kerk.
While primarily known as an architect, Van Campen was also a skilled painter. He created notable still life paintings, often featuring intricate arrangements of objects symbolizing mortality and the passage of time. His wall decorations, particularly at Paleis Huis ten Bosch, demonstrate his ability to integrate painting with architectural space.
Jacob van Campen was a pivotal figure in introducing Classicism to Dutch Baroque design. He bridged the gap between earlier Renaissance influences and the evolving artistic sensibilities of the 17th century. His architectural designs helped shape the urban landscape of the Netherlands, and his work continues to be admired for its elegance, precision, and innovative use of space. He died in 1657 and was buried at Randenbroek, the estate he so carefully cultivated.
