RYSBRAEK, or RYSBRECHTS, PETER, a Flemish painter, was born at Antwerp in 1637, and received his rudimentary instruction in the studio of Francis Milé, whom he afterwards accompanied to Paris. He made a special study of the works of Gaspar Poussin, and received flattering encouragement to remain in Paris. He returned, however, to his native country, and exercised his talents in Antwerp with great reputation. Rybrack possessed great harmony in the distribution of his colours, had a broad and free touch, and great facility of execution, but there was a monotony and want of variety about his pictures, which placed him on a much lower level than the master whom he imitated. He died about 1716.

MICHAEL, a distinguished Flemish sculptor, was born at Antwerp according to the testimony of Charles Rogers, who knew him well, on the 24th of June 1693. His father, Peter Rybrack, the painter, already noticed, placed him early with Michael Vander Vorst, with whom he remained till 1712. He came to London in 1720, and was for a time obscurely engaged in executing monumental works for Gibbs, who industriously farmed out these ornamental works to the lowest bidder. Having rid himself of Gibbs, he soon brought himself into notice, so that there was no piece of monumental art executed in England of any importance that did not pass through his hands. He gave a great impulse to sculpture in England, and so great was his reputation, that men used to recount in remote districts of the country, as the greatest event of their lives, their having had the honour of visiting the workshop of Rybrack of Vere Street, London. Form and character were his exclusive study; and he had very slender regard for his illustrious countrymen, Rubens and Rembrandt. For many years he may be said to have had the sculpture of Britain at his feet, but on the appearance of Scheemacker and Roubillac, he had to recognize two successful rivals. During his career he executed busts of Pope, Ben Jonson, Butler, Milton, Cromwell, Sir Hans Sloane, Locke, and many others, besides erecting numerous monuments in Westminster Abbey and elsewhere. He died January 8, 1770. (See Sculpture.)