Jacob Toorenvliet (c. 1635-1719) was born in Leiden, Holland.  His father was a renowned drawing instructor.   Presumably in 1659, Toorenvliet began his grand tour, a European trip typically undertaken by upper class men.  He continued this pattern of traveling throughout his career, working in multiple cities such as Rome, Venice, and his birthplace, Leiden.  He also lived in Vienna for some time during the 1670s.

Toorenvliet was involved in several artists' organizations including the Guild of Saint Luke.  In 1694 he helped to establish a Leiden Drawing Academy, an extension of the Guild of Saint Luke.  The artist is most associated with the Dutch Golden Age, a period categorized by an absence of religious image...