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We know much more about the life and work of Jan’s brother, Andries Both, than about Jan himself, although there is no doubt that both brothers travelled to France and Italy. Jan probably arrived in Rome around 1637/38, some three years before Andries appeared on the scene. Interestingly enough, the drawings by Andries that have survived from this stage in his career reveal the strong influence exerted on him by his younger brother. Both joined the group of Bamboccianti in Rome, Jan concentrating on landscape paintings. Around 1642 Jan returned to his native Utrecht where he worked for the most part until his death in 1652. Although numerous drawings in public and private collections bear the name Both, only relatively few works can be ascribed with any degree of certainty to Jan Both.