Biography

Flemish painter and draughtsman, active also in Italy and Austria. He may have received his first training with his father, the Antwerp painter Caspar van den Hoecke (active 1595-1648), who also taught his half-brother Robert van den Hoecke (1622-1668); he then became a pupil of Rubens. Together with his father, Jan contributed to the decorations for the Joyous Entry of Ferdinand into Antwerp in 1635: the monumental figures of the King of Hungary and the Cardinal-Infante on the Arch of Ferdinand were by Jan. The draughtsman-like precision of the details is characteristic of his manner of working, while he hardly bothered to paint in the inner forms once they had been established. Other early works from this Antwerp period include the oil sketch of the Triumph of David (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth).

Hoecke then traveled to Austria under the commission of the Emperor Ferdinand III (1608-1657) after 1637, staying for about ten years. He also painted for Ferdinand's brother, Duke Leopold William of Austria (1614-1662), including a Madonna and Child and a number of allegorical pieces. Before this he traveled to Italy and worked in Rome, which may have influenced his style.

In addition to religious and allegorical subjects Hoecke also painted flower still-lifes.