Timeline

Born in Breda, the year of Collier’s birth may have been c. 1640. It is probable that he trained in Haarlem given that his early works show the influence of Pieter Claesz (c. 1597-1661) and Vincent Laurensz van der Vinne (1629-1702). His Dutch works were signed ‘Edwaert Colyer’ but he later anglicized his name to Edward Colier. His earliest known work is dated 1664 and he was a member of the Guild of St Luke in Leiden from 1673-1680. Collier traveled to England in 1693, where he remained until 1706. Whilst in London he specialized in vanitas still lifes and trompe l’oeil paintings.