Adam Frans van der Meulen

Adam Frans van der Meulen (1632–1690) was a Flemish painter renowned for his contributions to the Baroque movement, particularly in the genre of battle scenes and landscapes. Born in Brussels, he became a prominent figure in the court of Louis XIV of France, where he was appointed as the official battle painter. Van der Meulen's work was instrumental in documenting the military campaigns of the Sun King, often accompanying the army to capture scenes of victory and grandeur. His detailed and dynamic compositions were highly influential, setting a standard for military art in the period. He was a pupil of Pieter Snayers, which significantly shaped his early style before he moved to France in 1664 at the behest of Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Van der Meulen's legacy is marked by his ability to blend realism with the dramatic flair characteristic of Baroque art, leaving a lasting impact on the depiction of warfare in art.