Mayken Coecke

Mayken Coecke (Brussels?, ca. 1545 – Brussels, 1578) or Maria Coecke was the daughter of Pieter Coecke van Aelst and Mayken Verhulst. Mayken married Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1563. Bruegel was apprenticed to Pieter Coecke van Aelst, a leading Antwerp artist who had relocated to Brussels.
They had three children: Pieter Brueghel the Younger (born 1564/65), Maria (born 1566) and Jan Brueghel the Elder (born 1568). Their sons later became known as "Helse Brueghel" and "Fluwelen Brueghel".
Mayken Coecke was mentioned as a painter herself in a 17th-century manuscript from Mechelen.
Mayken died in 1578. She was buried next to her husband in the Chapel Church, their son Jan Brueghel the Elder provided the church with a commemorative plaque honouring his parents.