W. Mertens

[1] His work shows the influence of Jan Davidszoon de Heem, a Dutch still life painter who was active in Antwerp from the mid-1630s.

[2] This first name seems to have been attributed to the artist based on confusion with the Wouter Mertens registered as an embroidery worker.

[4] As it would be unlikely for a painter to be active in Antwerp without registering at the local Guild, some art historians have hypothesized that the artist should be identified with the Antwerp painter and art dealer Cornelis Mertens.

[1] In terms of composition and choice of motifs his work shows a knowledge of the early 1650s works of Jan Davidszoon de Heem, a Dutch still life painter who was active in Antwerp from the mid-1630s.

[2] His works are sometimes attributed to other Antwerp painters who were influenced by de Heem such as Joris van Son, Jan Pauwel Gillemans the Elder and Thomas Mertens.