Nicola van Houbraken was born in Messina, Sicily, to a family of Flemish painters. In 1674 the family relocated to Livorno on the Tuscan coast and from there van Houbraken is known to have sent paintings to cities throughout Italy. For example a contemporary source records several paintings of fruit and flowers by the artist which were included in the exhibitions held in 1706 and 1729 in the cloister of SS. Annunziata, Florence, as part of the feast of Saint Luke. A description of the paintings included in the 1729 exhibition also lists a portrait of Francesco Riviere by van Houbraken (Uffizi, Florence). However, information about the artist's life and career are sparse, and references to the artist appear variously as Niccolino Vanhoubracken, Niccolo Vanderbrach, Van Bubrachen, Wan-oubru-Ken, Valdubrochen and Niccola Messinese.

The attribution to Van Houbraken has been suggested by Dr. John T. Spike, who rejects the previous attribution to Giacomo Ceruti.