Van Dyck was born in Antwerp. His exceptional talent was quickly recognised by the city's most eminent painter, Peter Paul Rubens, whose pupil he became. After a brief period working for the court of King James in England, he travelled to Italy eager to study the work of Titian. His six-year stay was spent mostly in Genoa, where he was much in demand by the city's wealthy merchants as a portraitist. Van Dyck returned to Antwerp in 1627 with his reputation firmly established, and over the next five years produced some of his most brilliant work, including religious and mythological subjects as well as portraits of the city fathers, before accepting Charles I's offer to work as Court Painter in England. He remained in England until his death, transforming portraiture in England and immortalising on canvas a generation caught up in the tragedy of the English Civil War.

Van Dyck's genius as a portrait painter has been rivalled by few other artists. He painted kings and courtiers, musicians, painters and friends, with a sympathy and understanding that is evident in every brush stroke, while his ability to capture the fleeting nature of childhood is unsurpassed.

This beautiful catalogue offers high quality reproductions of Van Dyck's masterpieces along with details of works that reveal the astonishing virtuosity of his handling of paint, particularly in his rendering of textiles and costume. There are full-colour comparative illustrations, a chronology and a detailed description of each work. The most prominent scholars in the field discuss the development of Van Dyck's work, making this the most authoritative volume to be published on the artist. -- Amazon.com

Synopsis
In commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Anthony van Dyck, the great Flemish painter, a monumental collection of 250 reproductions of masterpieces by this genius also offers a comprehensive analysis of his work by respected scholars.