TENIERS, DAVID, THE YOUNGER

(1610-1690)

David Teniers was born in Antwerp on 15 December 1610, the son of Flemish painter David Teniers (1582-1649). Taught by his father, the younger Teniers was also a protégé of Peter Paul Rubens and his early works show the influence of PieterBruegelthe Younger, his father-in-law. In 1647, Teniers was named court painter by Archduke LeopoldWilliam of Austria, governor-general of the Netherlands, and, to better fulfill his duties, he moved to Brussels in 1651. Teniers subsequently remained in official favor and the painter and engraver received many notables of the day at his studio, including James, the duke of York, and Louis II, the Great Condé, whose portraits he painted. King Philip IV of Spain bought many of his small, detailed paintings. Pastoral scenes of peasant life comprised favorite subjects, and his subtle use of color and brilliant technique make him one of the outstanding Flemish genre artists of his period. His last years were marked by personal tragedies, including the deaths of his wife and sons, and he died alone in Brussels on 25 April 1690.