Jacob van Schuppen was born in Fontainebleau, France, as the son of Elisabeth de Mesmaker and the Flemish painter-engraver Pieter van Schuppen, who was originally from Antwerp.

He was taught to paint by his father and his uncle Nicolas de Largillière.

[1] In 1725, he was appointed director of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, when it was refounded by Emperor Charles VI as the k.k.

Hofakademie der Maler, Bildhauer und Baukunst (Imperial and Royal Court Academy of painters, sculptors and architecture).

In 1730, he taught Adam Friedrich Oeser[3] and he was an influence on Daniel Gran.