He was born at Utrecht in 1654 where he was sent to learn draftsmanship from Herman Saftleven in 1668,[1] under whom he studied three years; he afterwards spent some time in the Duchy of Cleves[1] and met Gerard Hoet,[1] who convinced him to visit Italy.
On his arrival at Rome he met several of the artists (and Bentvueghels) of his country, who received him with kindness, particularly Abraham Genoels, Adriaen Honich, Nicolaas Piemont, Jacob Ferdinand Voet, and the engraver Cornelis Bloemaert.
[1] In their society he greatly improved himself, meeting Carlo Maratta and learning to design the fine scenery in the environs of Rome in the popular manner of Italianate landscapes.
[1] When the Duke made a pilgrimage to Loreto, Marche, Van Bunnik accompanied him there and onwards to Rome, where this being his third trip there, he allowed himself to be accepted into the Bentvueghels with the nickname keteltrom.
They set off for Paris in the company of Jan's brother Jacob van Bunnik who was a good painter of "bataljes" or battle scenes.