HEIL, Daniel van
(b. 1604 Brussel, d. 1662 Brussel)
Flemish painter. As a landscapist he had a great reputation; but he discontinued those subjects for those of terror, such as conflagrations of cities, villages, or palaces; which he represented with truth and exactness. The pictures of this master are very frequent, and some of them are extremely well coloured, and freely and firmly pencilled.
Among his masterpieces are the Destruction of Troy, the Burning of Sodom, and some excellent winter-pieces. He had a light touch, a natural tone of colouring, great variety in the scenes of his landscapes, and possessed a perfect knowledge of the chiaroscuro.
