Adriaen Van Utrecht Biography
Adriaen van Utrecht was born in Antwerp in 1599 and began his artistic career as a pupil of Herman de Neyt, a famous painter and art dealer, who passed on his passion for art to him. Van Utrecht completed his painting apprenticeship under de Neyt and then left for France, Germany and Italy. Van Utrecht was one of the most famous Flemish painters for his still life works of banquets, fruit and game. The painter, after his father's death in 1624, returned to Antwerp to resume his artistic career. In 1625, he was appointed free master of the local Guild of Saint Luke. His paintings, influenced by the works of Frans Snyders, were appreciated for their liveliness and realism. Van Utrecht was also a pupil and assistant of Peter Paul Rubens. The painter received international commissions from important aristocrats, such as the German Emperor, King Philip IV of Spain and the Prince of Orange. Although Van Utrecht's success was enormous, his fortunes suffered a setback in the late 1940s. The reason may have been attributed to his poor health. When the painter died in Antwerp on 5 October 1652, he had lost most of his wealth and artistic notoriety.
