Pieter Verbrugghen II

Pieter Verbrugghen II (alternative spellings: Pieter Verbruggen (II), Peter van der Brugghen (II), Pieter van der Brugghen (II), Peter Verbruggen (II), Peter Verbrugghen (II), alias Ballon) (1648, Antwerp - after 1691, Antwerp) was a Flemish sculptor, draughtsman, etcher and stone merchant.

Pieter Verbruggen was a son of Pieter Verbrugghen I. He probably received his training from his father. After completing his training, he travelled to Rome in 1674. While there he is known to have made drawings after Gianlorenzo Bernini and antique sculptures, which were used by his brother Hendrik Frans Verbrugghen. He joined on 3 January 1675 the Bentvueghels, an association of mainly Dutch and Flemish artists working in Rome, where he took the nickname (referred to as ‘bent name’) 'Ballon' (Dutch for ‘’balloon). He was admitted to the Bentvueghels at the same time as Abraham Genoels and François Moens.

Pieter returned to Antwerp in 1677 where he worked as an engraver. He was admitted as a master of the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp in 1680 but remained in his father’s workshop as a collaborator. He became dean of the Guild in 1691. He married with Maria Isabella Heck in 1688.

Joannes Boecksent was his pupil.

He is known for various designs of tombs and other religious structures including the designs for the high altar of the St. Paul's Church in Antwerp which he executed with his father Pieter Verbrugghen I in 1670. His works belong to the Flemish High Baroque tradition. He was a fine craftsman rather than an original artist.

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