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Peter Pourbus (or Poeurbus), the father of Frans Pourbus the Elder, settled at an early age in Bruges where in 1538, he studied under Lancelot Blondeel, a painter trained in the Italian manner & influenced particularly by Raphael. It has been speculated that he married Blondeel’s daughter. He was admitted as free master into the Guilds of St Luke & then St. George.
He was constantly employed by the magistrates of the liberty of Bruges, completing many commissions for them.
His portraits are of rare perfection & his works can be seen in all the great museums of the world.