fabric merchant Frans van Dyck. He was the seventh of twelve children. In 1609, at the age of 10, he was given to the Studio of the famous painter Hendrik van Balen, who painted paintings on mythological themes. The first masterpiece Antonis wrote when he was 14 years old — a portrait of a 70-year-old man.
artists created a series of "heads of the apostles." His early works include a self-portrait (circa 1615, Vienna, Museum of art history), characterized by grace and elegance. In 1618-1620 creates a cycle of 13 boards depicting Christ and the apostles: St. Simon (C. 1618, London, private collection), St. Matthew (C. 1618, London, private collection). The expressive faces of the apostles are painted in a free pictorial manner. Now a significant part of the boards of this cycle is scattered in museums around the world. In February 1618, van Dyck was admitted as a master to the Guild of painters of St. Luke and, already having his own Studio, collaborates with Rubens, works as an assistant in his Studio.
returned to Antwerp. For some time he lived in Italy, mainly in Genoa. From 1621-1627 van Dyck lives and works in Germany. In 1627, van Dyck returned to Antwerp and became court painter to Isabella Clara Eugenia. Since 1632, the painter lived again in London, working as a court artist, Charles I. in 1632, the king knighted, and in 1633 granted him the status of Royal artist. The painter received a solid salary. In England in 1639, he married the daughter of Lord Ruthven Mary Ruthven. Van Dyck died December 9, 1641 in London, buried in St. Paul's Cathedral in London.