Biography

David Ryckaert the Younger (David Rijckaert III), Flemish painter. He was taught by his father David Ryckaert II (1586–1642). In 1636 he became a master in the Antwerp Guild of St Luke, and in 1652 he was appointed Dean of the Guild. His brother-in-law, Gonzales Coques, was his pupil. Among his patrons was Archduke Leopold William, governor of the Spanish Netherlands.

Ryckaert began his career as a landscape painter but soon specialized in genre scenes under the influence of Adriaen Brouwer and David Teniers the Younger. His work often shows alehouse interiors with peasants or 'professional' men such as an alchemist, quack, cobbler or painter. Other themes are children's games, musical parties and imaginary scenes with witches and ghosts. Many of Ryckaert's works are signed and dated, thus his artistic development from 1637 to 1661 is easy to follow.