Neef (or Neefs), James

Neef (or Neefs), James a Flemish engraver who devoted himself mostly to sacred and secular art, was born at Antwerp, according to Nagler, about 1610. There are various dates assigned for his birth, but Nagler is probably correct, as there are prints by Neef extant dated 1632 and 1633. His last print recorded is dated 1645. He engraved a number of plates after Rubens, Vandyck, and other celebrated Flemish painters. His drawing is correct, but stiff and mannered, and his heads often have an extravagant expression; but his prints are much esteemed. They are executed entirely with the graver, which he handled with great facility. Among his works are, The Fall of the Angels: — The

Meeting of Abraham and Melchisedec: — The Crucifixion, with the Virgin and St. John: — St. Augustine: — The Martyrdom of St. Thomas: — The Judgment of Paris: — The Triumph of Galatea (all these are after Rubens): — Christ and his Six Penitents: — Job and his Wife: — The Martyrdom of St. Lievin: — Christ's offering to Magdalen (all these after Gerard Segers): — Christ brought before Pilate, after J. Jordaens: — St. Roch interceding for the Persons attacked by the Plague, after Erasmus Quellinus.