grain, silk, diamonds, and lace at first. Later, Van den Eynde also became a successful banker. In 1636, Van den Eynde entered a partnership with Gaspar Roomer, whose company dealt in luxury goods, lace, silk, grain, diamonds and ship insurance. When Van den Eynde became Roomer's partner and co-owner of his company, there was a substantial increase in the company's volume of business, particularly in brokering operations and silk trading. Jan van den Eynde became exceedingly rich. This allowed him, among other things, to buy his son Ferdinand a peerage title. He purchased the monumental Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano (in central Naples), which was acquired by him in 1653. Van den Eynde filled the palace with a colossal collection of paintings, by artist such as Leonard Bramer, Giacinto Brandi, Jan van Boeckhorst, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Paul Bril, Viviano Codazzi, Aniello Falcone, Guercino, David de Haen, Pieter van Laer, Jan Miel, Cornelius van Poelenburch, Cornelis Schut, Goffredo Wals, Bartolomeo Passante, Mattia Preti, Pieter Paul Rubens, Carlo Saraceni, Massimo Stanzione, Van Dyck, Simon Vouet, Pieter de Witte and many others. Throughout the Baroque period, the Van den Eynde's was the largest collection of paintings in Naples and the Napoletano. It included the finest artwork of Italian and Flemish painters. The Van den Eynde's collections influenced other art collectors of the day, and had a fundamental influence on the following generation of local painters. Jan van den Eynde did not only become one of the richest men in Naples, but also one of the most prominent figures in the Italian city, developing strong ties with the Italian nobility and a close relationship with the viceroys. The Neapolitan citizens called him Vandìn. Last years and progeny Jan van den Eynde made his will in 1671. He died in Naples in 1674, the same year in which his son Ferdinand passed away. Ferdinand, Marquess of Castelnuovo, was Jan van den Eynde's designated heir. However, in 1671 Van den Eynde ordered several legati. He left an yearly 10 000 ducats' revenue off some of his landed estate to his young grandson, Don Giovanni Mastrillo-van den Eynde, 3rd Marquess of Gallo (later 5th Duke of Marigliano), the son of his daughter Catherine van den Eynde, provided that he add Van den Eynde to his surname (item lascio jure legati a D. Giovanni Mastrillo Marchese del Gallo mio carissimo nipote docati 10 mila di capitale con sue annue