Jan Tilens

Jan Tilens was born as the son of a baker in Antwerp. The Tilens (or Tielens) family was responsible for the operation of the bakery in the Citadel of Antwerp. It is not clear with whom he trained but in 1610 the artist made a declaration that he had already completed his artistic studies. In 1612 Tilens was accepted as a master of the Guild of St. Luke of Antwerp. The record of his registration at the Guild shows that he was still residing at the Antwerp Citadel at that time.^[3]

On 25 October 1614 Jan Tilens married Margaretha Geleyns. The couple had five children and lived in downtown Antwerp.^[3] Jan Tilens was based in his native Antwerp for his entire career.^[4] He enjoyed the appreciation of his fellow artists. Anthony van Dyck praised his work and made a portrait of the artist.^[3] His niece Johanna Tielens married the genre painter Joos van Craesbeeck.^[5]

After becoming ill in 1629, Jan Tilens made a will.^[3] He died the next year and was buried on 25 July 1630 in Antwerp.^[2]