Jan van der Heyden

Jan van der Heyden was a Dutch painter born in the Netherlands in 1637 and active until his death in 1712. He is associated with the Baroque art movement, known for his detailed cityscapes and depictions of urban life, particularly of Amsterdam. Van der Heyden's innovative use of light and perspective set him apart from his contemporaries, influencing the genre of architectural painting. In addition to his work as a painter, he was also an accomplished inventor, notably developing a fire-fighting pump. His contributions to both art and technology have left a lasting impact on the representation of urban environments in art. The specifics of his early life and training remain largely unknown.