RYCKAERT, David the Younger
(b. 1612, Antwerpen, d. 1661, Antwerpen)

As the Old Ones Sing, so the Young Ones Pipe

1651-52
Oil on canvas, 93 x 78 cm
Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest

In his earliest paintings Ryckaert's technique is particularly attuned to that of the later Brouwer. After 1640 the affinity with the contemporary work of David Teniers the Younger appears to become greater. From this time a typical Ryckaert character appears repeatedly: a rather amiable bearded old man, who sometimes turns up as a shoemaker, sometimes as a lute player or alchemist. Like the old woman who often accompanies him, this figure gives a highly anecdotal character to Ryckaert's late work.

In his later work it is noticeable how Ryckaert goes on repeating the stereotyped figures, including the amiable old man and woman, from his earlier work in continual variations.