Background
The year he was born at Antwerp is not known, but this is determined to be between 1555 and 1565. The title wijnmeester was reserved for sons of members, and he was the son of January Collaert I and Anna van der Heijden. He married Justa Galle, the daughter of the man he worked for, Philip Galle.
Education
On his return to Flanders, he engraved a great number of plates, executed in a neatly finished style, but with a certain degree of dryness.
Career
According to the RKD in 1580 he became wijnmeester of the Guild of Saint Luke. He also worked for Gerard de Jode (where he made prints after Maerten de Vos), Eduard Hoeswinckel and Hans van Luyck. After having learnt the principles of the art in his own country, he visited Italy for improvement, where he passed some years.
He died at Antwerp in 1618.
His drawing is correct, and his heads expressive. He sometimes marked his plates with a cipher.
From 1593-1594 he took on pupils and from 1589 he worked for Plantijn Moretus. His pupils were January Boel, Quirin Boel (I), Adriaan Boon, January Collaert (II), and Abraham van Merlen.
He was also an independent print publisher.
The following are his principal productions:
1562.
A Manitoba in Armour, to whom a Woman brings a Child, a Dog, and a Cock. The Life of Jesus Christ. In thirty-six plates.
Thirty plates of Birds.
One hundred and twenty-five plates of Fishes. Twenty-four plates; entitled Florilegium ab Hadriano Collaert caelatum, &c.
The Temptation of Saint Anthony.
Saint Apollonia. The Twelve Months of the Year.
After Josse De Momper. The same that Callot has engraved.
The Seven Planets 1581. After Maerten de Vos
Four Continents 1588-1589.
After the same
The Four Elements.
In four plates, after the same. The Last Judgment; after J. Stradan. Saint Hubert; after the same.
Twelve plates of Horses.
After the same. A Hunting and Fishing Party. After the same. The Israelitish Women singing the Song of Praise for the Destruction of the Egyptian Host in the Red Sea.
After the same. Twelve Landscapes. After Hendrick Van Cleve III. The Calling of Saint Andrew to the Apostleship.
After Barocci. The Repose in Egypt.
After H. Goltzius.
Membership
Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke.