VAN DYCK, SIR ANTHONY

(15991641), famous Dutch portrait painter; b. at Antwerp. He received his earliest instruction in art under Hendrik van Baler. In 1615 he entered the studio of the great master Rubens, with whom he remained as an a istant till 1620. During this apprenticeship he was set to copy the Italian masters owned by Rubens, and later to transfer to canvas on for the master to finish. To such power did the pupil attain, that none can certainly say of many of the works of this time whether they were by Rubens or his pupil. On leaving Rubens, he studied in England under the patronage of James I., and subsequently in Italy. Among his early pictures are the ‘Crucifixion’ for St. Michael’s, Ghent, and the ‘St. Augustine’ of Antwerp. In 1632 the painter was invited to England by Charles I., and styled ‘principal painter in ordinary to their Majesties at St. James’s.’