Paul Brill was a Flemish painter and print maker predominately known for his landscapes. He worked mostly in Rome and his Italianate landscapes had a major influence on landscape painting in Italy and Northern Europe.

He established his reputation with commissions from Pope Gregorius XIII in the Roman College and his success was assured after Pope Sixtus V became his principal patron. Pope Clement VII also became his patron and gave the artist a commission for a monumental seascape on the Martyrdom of St. Clement. He also had patrons among the most influential people in Rome including members of the Borghese family.

In 1621, Paul Bril became director of the the artists' academy in Rome. This was a clear sign of the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow artists as he was the first foreigner to hold this position.

Paul Bril died in Rome in 1626.