Peeter Baltens, Pieter Balten or Pieter Custodis[1] (c. 1527 in Antwerp – 1584 in Antwerp), was a Flemish Renaissance painter, draughtsman, engraver and publisher. Baltens was also active as an art dealer and poet. He was known for his genre paintings, religious compositions and landscapes.[2]
His career and artistic development and that of the Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder were closely intertwined. He is credited as being one of the key inventors of the genre of the village scene in Flemish and Dutch art.[3]
- ^ His 'correct' name is 'Peeter Baltens'. He was also known as Pieter Baltens, Peeter Balthazar, Pieter Balthazar, Pieter de Costere, Pieter Custodis, Peeter Custodis
- ^ Peeter Baltens at the Netherlands Institute for Art History
- ^ Nadine Orenstein (2001), p. 90