Jacob van der Kerckhoven was a Flemish painter. After having trained in Antwerp under Jan Fyt, one of the leading still-life painters of his time, Jacob first worked in his home town. From 1683 at the latest, he stayed in Venice and called himself Giacomo da Castello after the district in which he lived. His still lifes with animals were sought after by collectors in Venice. His clients included not only Venetian nobles but also travellers, especially English aristocrats on their Grand Tour. Giacomo da Castello was a member of the Venetian painters' guild from 1687 to 1712. In the documents of the guild, there is a note from 1712 according to which he did not have to pay dues to the guild because of his old age. Giacomo da Castello also spent some time in Vicenza. Because of stylistic similarities with painters from Rome and Naples, it is probable – but not verifiable – that he also spent some time there.