Abraham Begeyn was a Dutch Golden Age painter, known for his Italianate landscapes and still lives. Begeyn was also skilled at rendering animals, and in this way is comparable in importance to Nicolaes Berchem and Jan Asselijn. Begeyn was born in Leiden circa 1637 and was recorded as a member of the Guild of St. Luke in Leiden between 1655 and 1667. Begeyn travelled to Italy on two occasions before moving to London in 1672, where he remained for two years. During his time in England, he produced fourteen paintings for the Earl of Lauderdale at Ham House, several of which remain on display there today. In 1688, Begeyn was summoned to Berlin, where his work quickly attracted the attention of the Grand Elector, and he soon established himself as the leading painter at the court.