VANDYCK

VANDYCK, SIR ANTHONY, a celebrated painter, was born at Antwerp in the year 1599. After giving early proofs of his genius, he became the disciple of the illustrious Rubens. In the church of the Augustines at Antwerp, at the high altar, is a celebrated picture of Rubens, representing, in one part, the Virgin Mary sitting with the child Jesus in her lap, and in another part several saints, male and female, standing. The breast of one of these, St. Sebastian, is said to have been painted by Vandyck when he was only a disciple of Rubens. This great master being engaged one day abroad, his disciples went into his painting-room, where, after having been some time employed in admiring his works, they began to romp in such a manner, that the breast of St. Sebastian, which was not yet dry, was brushed away by a hat thrown at random. This accident put an end to their play: they were very anxious to restore it, fearing that if Rubens discovered it they should all be discarded. At length it was agreed that Anthony should undertake to mend the saint's breast. In short, taking his master's pallet and brushes, he succeeded so well that his companions imagined Rubens would overlook it. They were mistaken; for Rubens at his return knew immediately that some one had touched his performance: calling his disciples, he asked them why any one had dared to meddle with his painting. They were some time doubtful whether they should confess or deny the fact. Threats at length prevailed; they owned that Vandyck had thrown his hat upon it. Upon this, closeting Vandyck, instead of chiding him, he told him, that "it was proper and even necessary for him to travel into Italy, the only school that produced excellent painters." By this advice, and with the assistance of his master, he set out for Italy, about the year 1621, being then about twenty-one or twenty-two years of age. Having staid a short time at Rome, he removed to Venice, where he attained the beautiful colouring of Titian, Paul Veronese, and the Venetian school.

After a few years he returned to Flanders, with so noble, so easy, and natural a manner of painting, that Titian himself was hardly his superior; and no other master could equal him in portraits. Soon after his return, he accidentally met with D. Teniers, who accosted him with great politeness, and asked him whether he had much business since he came from Rome? "What business, think you, can I have had time to do?" replied Vandyck: "I am only just arrived here. Would you believe, that I offered to draw that fat brewer's picture who just passed by us for two pistols, and that the looby laughed in my face, saying it was too dear? I assure you, that if the cards do not turn up better, I shall make no long stay at Brussels." Soon after this, he painted those two famous pictures, the Nativity and a dying Christ; the first in the parish church, the second in that of the Capuchins, at Termonde.

Vandyck, finding he could not make a fortune in his own country, adopted the resolution of visiting England. Accordingly he borrowed some guineas of Teniers, and set out, furnished with letters of recommendation. His superior genius soon brought him into great reputation; and above all, he excelled in portraits, which he drew with an

incredible facility, and for which he charged a very high price, according to the instructions which had been given him on that head. It is affirmed, that for some of them he received 400 guineas a-piece. He soon found himself loaded with honours and riches; and as he had a noble and generous heart, he lived suitably to his fortune. He married Maria Ruthven, grand-daughter of the first earl of Owrie; and though she had but little fortune, maintained him a style equal to her birth. He generally kept a magnificent equipage, and a numerous retinue. He died in Belfriars on the 9th of December 1641, at the early age of forty-two, and was buried in St. Paul's near the tomb of Jon of Gaunt. He left a daughter, married to Mr. Stephen the grandfather of George Stepney the poet. Lady Vidveck was afterwards married to Richard the son of Sir Jon Pryse of Newton-Averbeckham, but by her second husband she had no issue.