Page "Frans van Mieris the Elder" Paragraph 1

Frans was the son of Jan Bastiaans van Mieris, a goldsmith, carver of rubies and diamond setter at Leiden.

His father wished to train him to his own business, but Frans preferred drawing, and studied with Jacob Toorenvliet's father, Abraham Toorenvliet, a glazier who kept a school of design.

From his own father's shop he became familiar with the ways and dress of people of distinction.

His eye was fascinated in turn by the sheen of jewelry and stained glass ; and, though he soon left Toorenvliet for the workshops of Gerard Dou and Abraham van den Tempel, he acquired the Leiden fijnschilder manner over the Amsterdam finish of the disciples of Rembrandt.