CRAYER, CASPARDE (1585-1669), an eminent painter, born at Antwerp, was a disciple of Raphael Coxis, the son of the same Coxis who had studied under Raffaele. He
Crayon soon gave such proofs of genius and an elevated capacity that he far surpassed his master. Of all his contemporaries, he was accounted to approach nearest to Vandyck, not only in history but in portrait. He principally painted religious subjects, and was continually at work. Although he lived to a great age, yet by temperance and constant regularity he preserved unimpaired the full use of all his faculties; and to the last month of his life his pencil retained the same force and freedom which it possessed in his youth. His principal works are at Brussels and Ghent.