Van Dyck was born in Antwerp. He was a pupil of Hendrick van Balen before entering Rubens ' studio. His early works show the influence of Caravaggism . He established his liking for portraiture early on in his career. He travelled to Italy, visiting Venice, Rome and Palermo, then settled in Genoa (1623-1627) where he painted elegant portraits of members of the local aristocracy. After returning to Antwerp, he painted religious scenes and portraits in a more gracious and languid manner than Rubens . He went to England in 1632, where he remained until his death. As painter to the Court of Charles I , King of England, he painted a large number of -- often full-length -- portraits of members of the Court. He thus created a style of portraiture that was both lofty and melancholy, which would have a lasting influence on the English School of painting.
Works from the 27 in the Louvre's collection:
- Charles I at the Hunt
- The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian
- Portrait of a Lady with Her Daughter
- Virgin and Child with Two Donors
- Charles Louis, Elector Palatine, and his Brother Rupert
