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Sir Anthony van Dyck,Sir Anthony van Dyck

© Jennifer Hollowell

Sir Anthony van Dyck was the seventh child born March 22, 1599 to a wealthy textile merchant in Antwerp, Belgium. Van Dyck’s training began early, during 1609, at the age of ten at the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke. There he became apprentice to Hendrik van Balen and known as "Master of the guild."

By the time he was fourteen, he was training at the studio of Sir Peter Paul Rubens. Before long, Anthony became Sir Peter’s (Europe’s most distinguished artist) assistant. By the time van Dyck was sixteen, he is said to have had his own pupils.

Sir Anthony van Dyck, also known as Antoon van Dyck or Anton van Dyck, was a "Flemish painter" known as the "true genius of portraiture." He enhanced his models, called sitters, by portraying them from below and elongating their features. Setting, placement and accessories were used to help bring subjects to “life” on the canvas.

He was also admired by many for his mythological and religious scenes, which would influence later generations of art. His personal influences included, but were not limited to the works of Titian and Veronese. He learned of these artists in greater detail while in Italy for six years.

During 1627, he returned from Italy and began receiving steady commissions from various churches for altarpieces. During 1628, he married one of the Queen of England’s ladies in waiting, Mary Ruthven.

One of van Dyck’s greatest honors was being knighted during 1632, hence the title “Sir,” by Charles I. Charles I knighted him as the “Principalle Paynter in Ordinary to the Majesties.” He and his wife were among the first of van Dyck’s sitters. He also painted works conveying the king’s role as an absolute monarch. In return, he was furnished with a house in London and a pension.

Sir Anthony fathered one child, Justina, only one week. She was born December 1, 1641 and his unexpected death, at the age of forty-two, occurred just one week later.

His tomb and remains were housed in London, but lost during the Great Fire of London in 1666 . . . though his art and his influence lives on in gallery showings, museum presentations and scholar research.

Resources:

Van Dyck 1999: 400 Years of Sir Anthony

NGA- Sir Anthony van Dyck

Storm Fine Arts- Sir Anthony van Dyck

,Sir Anthony van Dyck was the seventh child born March 22, 1599 to a wealthy textile merchant in Antwerp, Belgium. Van Dyck’s training began early, during 1609, at the age of ten at the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke. There he became apprentice to Hendrik van Balen and known as "Master of the guild."