17^th Century Flemish

Painter of religious works, figures and still lifes, specialised in flowers.

Van Thielen was the son of a nobleman, and eventually took up the title of Lord of Couwenberch. At the age of thirteen he started training with his brother-in-law, the history painter Theodoor Rombouts (1597-1637), and in 1641 he furthered his training with the flower painter Daniel Seghers (1590-1661), who was wrongly attributed with some flower vases actually made by Van Thielen. His reputation as an artist was such that he enjoyed the protection of the Spanish crown. His three daughters also specialised in flower painting.

Around 1640-1641, Van Thielen was made master of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp, and in 1660 of the guild in Mechelen. He created many works in collaboration with other artists including Erasmus Quellinus II, Nicolas de Largillière, Frans Francken the Younger, Cornelis Schut and Cornelis van Poelenburch, where he painted the floral garlands around the composition of figures in the centre.