Cornelis de Wael was a Flemish painter, engraver and merchant who was primarily active in Genoa in Italy. He is known for his genre paintings, battle scenes, history paintings and still lifes. Through his art work, support for Flemish painters working in Italy and role as an art dealer, he played an important role in the artistic exchange between Italy and Flanders in the first half of the 17th century. His work also had an influence on local painters such as Alessandro Magnasco, particularly through his scenes of despair and irony.

Jan Roos, was a Flemish artist who, after training in Antwerp, mainly worked in Italy where he was called Giovanni Rosa. He was known for his still life paintings of flowers and vegetables, mythological and religious scenes and portraits. His style of still life painting had an important influence on the art of the local painters of the Genoese school.