Biography

Dutch painter, part of a family of artists, the oldest son of Frans van Mieris. After a short apprenticeship in his father's studio, the latter decided that Jan should continue his learning with the famous history painter Gerard de Lairesse in Amsterdam. However, the father finally dropped the idea because of De Lairesse's immoral way of living.

In 1684 Jan was witness to the intended marriage of his younger brother Willem van Mieris. In 1688 he was living with his mother at the Oude Vest in Leiden. He must have left for Italy that same year, for a letter he wrote to his mother from Venice is dated 14 January 1689. The letter confirms Jan's good health. Nevertheless, Jan had not sold any paintings yet and was planning to move on to Florence. He was invited to the court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, but was sent off for religious reasons. Apparently he then moved on to Rome, where he unexpectedly died on 17 March 1690.

Due to his untimely death, not many paintings of his hand are known. The rare extant works show that Jan was an ambitious young painter with a considerable and promising talent.