Search:: Artists Alphabetically Artists by Country Artists by Century Artists by Movement
Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641) Flemish, Baroque
The founder of the English school of Painting
Self Portrait With a Sunflower c. 1633
one of the
greatest paintings of all time
Vandyck was not so much a ladies man as an incurable romantic. He was
far fonder of reading a love poem and picnicking by a stream then
drinking in a pub. He loved the company of women and was a strong
believer of equality among the sexes. According to art
historian S. SPOONER, M. D., "At the age of twenty, Vandyck set out for
Italy, but delayed some time at Brussels, fascinated by the charms of a
peasant girl of Saveltheim, named Anna van Ophem, who persuaded him to
paint two pictures for the church of her native place—a St. Martin on
horseback, painted from himself and the horse given him by Rubens; and a
Holy Family, for which the girl and her parents were the models. On
arriving in Italy, he spent some time at Venice, studying with great
attention the works of Titian; after which he visited Genoa, and painted
many excellent portraits for the nobility, as well as several pictures
for the churches and private collections, which gained him great
applause. From Genoa he went to Rome, where he was also much employed,
and lived in great style. His portrait of Cardinal Bentivoglio, painted
about this time, is one of his masterpieces, and in every respect an
admirable picture; it is now in the Palazzo Pitti, at Florence, hanging
near Raffaelle's celebrated portrait of Leo X. Vandyck was known at Rome
as the Pittore Cavalieresco; his countrymen there being men of low and
intemperate habits, he avoided their society, and was thenceforward so
greatly annoyed by their criticisms and revilings, that he was obliged
to leave Rome about 1625, and return to Genoa, where he met with a
flattering reception, and plentiful encouragement. Invited to Palermo,
he visited that city, and painted the portraits of Prince Philibert of
Savoy, the Viceroy of Sicily, and several distinguished persons, among
whom was the celebrated paintress
Sofonisba
Anguisciola, then in her 92d year; but the plague breaking out, he
returned to Genoa, and thence to his own country."
Require more facts and information
about great
painters in Art History? Poke around
every nook and cranny of
the known universe for
information this
subject.
Search Here
© HistoryofPainters.com If you like this page and wish to share
it, you are welcome to link to it, with our thanks.
If you feel you have worthwhile information you would like to
contribute we would love to hear from you. We collect essential
biographical information and artist quotes from folks all over
the globe and appreciate your participation. When submitting
please, if possible, site the source and provide English
translation. Email to
- book store
- links
- art movements
- artist quotations
- iconography
- top 50 painters
- 100 greatest paintings
- art supplies
- site map
- how to make money online with your art