David Ryckaert

1612 – Antwerp – 1661

The son of David Ryckaert, grandnephew of the renowned landscape painter Martin Ryckaert, brother-in-law of Gonzales Coques, David Ryckaert III was born in Antwerp in 1612, in what must certainly have been a fertile environment in which to develop his talents. He was trained in his father's workshop and became a master in 1636/37. Specializing in genre painting, he had a remarkable career: In 1647, the year of his marriage to Jacqueline Pallemans, he became a member of the Chamber of Rhetoric De Violieren. His wife bore him eight children, including David IV who would follow in his father's footsteps. In 1651, he was made Dean of the Guild of Saint Luke and according to J.-B. Descamps, he also received the position of Director of the Academy. Archduke Leopold-Willem, governor of the Netherlands and a celebrated patron of the arts, supported him and frequently purchased his work.

Showing a clear predilection for tavern scenes and elegant gatherings, he also painted a number of portraits of the local guard, scenes of pillaging and alchemists' laboratories. The majority of his works are signed, which makes it possible to follow step by step the development of his style between 1637 and 1661.