Johan Zierneels

Johan Zierneels (alternative spellings: Jan Zierneels, Johannes Zierneels, Syrnel, Záernel, Ziereels, Ziereneels, Zierneel, Jan Zioerneels, Ziernel, Zionnels, alias Lely or Lelie) (Meierij van 's-Hertogenbosch; c.1646 – after 1678) was a Dutch painter who specialized in Christian religious themes.

According to the Dutch Golden Age biographer Arnold Houbraken, Zierneels was born in the Meierij van 's-Hertogenbosch.

[2] In 1674-1675 he joined the Bentvueghels, an association of mainly Dutch and Flemish artists working in Rome, where he took the nickname (referred to as ‘'bent name'’) 'Lely' or 'Lelie' (which are two different ways in which the word meaning 'lily' could at the time be spelled in Dutch).

The evidence for his membership is provided by a guest list made on the occasion of the induction of three new members: Abraham Genoels, François Moens and Pieter Verbrugghen II.

He painted a comprehensive series on the Martyrs of Gorcum, whose beatification in 1675 was celebrated with grand festivities.