Background
His father was called Balten Custodis, hence Baltens (Baltenszone of son of Balten). Baltens was born in Antwerp c. 1527 as the son of Balten Custodis (or Balten Janszoon de Costere).
His father was called Balten Custodis, hence Baltens (Baltenszone of son of Balten). Baltens was born in Antwerp c. 1527 as the son of Balten Custodis (or Balten Janszoon de Costere).
He has been named Pieter Balten by scholars, but that spelling of his name is a mistake based upon the ignorance about naming. Details on his life are scarce. Van Mander further wrote that Baltens was a good poet and rederijker and collaborated from time to time with the painter Cornelis Ketel.
In 1550-1551 Bruegel in fact worked as an assistant of Peeter Baltens.
Baltens is known to have collaborated with Brueghel and may even have influenced him.
Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke]
He became a member of the local Guild of Saint Luke in 1540 and became a master in 1550. The early 17th-century art historian Karel van Mander stated in his 1604 Schilder-boeck that Baltens became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke in 1559 and was a follower of Pieter Bruegel the Elder.