(bapt. Brussels, 12 Oct. 1613; d Brussels, ?May 1686). Flemish landscape painter, active in Brussels. He specialized in wooded landscapes, with figures that were often added by other artists, notably Teniers the Younger. Few dated works exist, the development of his style is not easily followed, and the work of his brother, Nicolas (1617–?), and his son, Jean-Baptiste (1638–?), is sometimes indistinguishable from his. D'Arthois was the outstanding landscape painter of his time in Brussels and earned a good living from his work, but he led an extravagant life (he was briefly imprisoned for debt in 1658) and died in poverty. Paintings from his busy studio were often used to decorate churches; examples are in Brussels Cathedral.
Text source: The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (Oxford University Press)