Few details are known of Jacob van Utrecht's life. Research on this artist did not start before the end of 19th century. He was probably born in
Utrecht, although it is not certain. It is assumed that he became a citizen of Antwerp around 1500 and he is recorded as a "free
master craftsman" of the
Guild of St Luke there from 1506 to 1512.[1][2]
From 1519 to 1525 he is recorded as a member of the Leonardsbruderschaft ("Leonard's Brotherhood"), a religious confraternity of merchants in Lübeck among whose ranks the leaders of the
Protestant Reformation in the 1530s could be found.[1][2]
From then on no traces of his life have been found.[2]
Signature
In addition to Jacobus Traiectensis he also signed his artworks with his real surname Claesz / Claez.[citation needed]
Annunciation altar with portraits of donating Lübeck merchant Hermann Plönnies and his wife, formerly in the Reedtz-Thott Collection at
Gavnø Castle on the isle of
Gavnø near
Næstved on southern Zealand, since 2012 in the St. Annen Museum in Lübeck