In Tate Britain Gallery in London opened an exhibition devoted to works of one of the greatest Flemish painters of XVII century Antonis van Dyck (Antoon van Dyck), an enormous influence on the cultural life of Britain. The exhibition brings together superior picture created by the master over the years living in London. Visitors also can see portraits, written by authors of XVIII - XX centuries, such as Joshua Reynolds (Joshua Reynolds) and John Singer Sardzhent (John Singer Sargent), and they feel the impact that Van Dyke has had on subsequent generations of artists.

Antonis van Dyck was born and educated in Antwerp, where he was in the studio of Rubens. For the first time he came to London in 1620-1621 and worked at the court of King James I. Then back home, some time he lived in Italy and studied the works of Italian masters, particularly Titian. In 1632 he again went to England, where he became a court painter of King Charles I. Except for brief trips to the continent, almost the last eight years of his life Van Dyck remained in England until the untimely death in 1641 at the age of 42 years.

Organizers have tried to reflect the context in which created major works of English period. The artist lived and worked in the years of political unrest, in the English Civil War 1642-1651, which resulted in the death of its chief patron, King Charles I. In his works of Van Dyck captures images of the main characters of the time. Songs, which he used, were continued in the work of subsequent generations of British artists. And he created portraits of Charles I influenced the modern perception of monarchical dynasty Stewart.

This ambitious and prolific author has produced a revolution in British portraiture, combining in his work the artistic traditions of northern and southern Europe. An innovative approach Van Dyck to the image of British elites emerged as a result of the synthesis of Antwerp education and careful study of Italian and especially Venetian painting. At the artist's work also influenced the forms of portraiture, which had already existed in Britain prior to his arrival. Van Dyke has paid much attention to costumes, luxurious fabrics and painted at that time is very bright and shiny.

Even after his death in British society have been major changes: King Charles I was executed, and power passed to Oliver Cromwell. However, such a significant social and political developments do not have changes in the artistic sphere - in the country for over two centuries have continued to develop trends, the founder of which was Antonis van Dyck.

Exhibition Gallery Tate Britain will continue until May 17, 2009.

material produced Catherine Onuchin

Sources: artdaily.com , tate.org.uk , artinvestment.ru