Biography

Flemish draughtsman, painter, tapestry designer and art dealer. He was a blood relation of the Brueghel family (through his mother, Corneila Verhulst), and his two marriages connected him with other artists of Antwerp. In 1574 he married Helena de Jode, daughter of the engraver and publisher Gerard de Jode (1509/17-1591). Snellinck worked for his father-in-law producing designs for prints. In 1586 Snellinck was married again to Paulina Cuypers, who was a relative of Van Dyck's mother, Maria.

He settled in Antwerp around 1574. He is known for his large altarpieces and was also recognized as a leading battle painter in his time. He also made cartoons for tapestries and had the distinction of drawing the admiration of Van Dyck, who painted his portrait.