Background
Gerard Rijsbrack was born in Antwerp as the son of the landscape painter Pieter Rijsbraeck and Geneviève (Genoveva) Compagnon, a French woman his father had married in France. Gerard likely studied painting with his father.
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Gerard Rijsbrack
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He first worked in England and later in Paris where he received royal commissions. He was the younger brother of the sculptor John Michael Rysbrack, one of the leading sculptors in England around the mid-18th century. He was baptized in the Antwerp Cathedral on 19 December 1996.
Gerard’s siblings included a number of artists.
Pieter Andreas and John Michael moved to London around 1620 where they built successful careers. John Michael Rysbrack became one of the leading sculptors in England and was particularly known for his portraits.
As a sculptor to the elite, he was able to build a network of relationships with influential people in England. Gerard left England for Paris where he is known to have been active from around 1747, although he may have moved there before this time.
Gerard Rijsbrack was successful in France where he enjoyed royal patronage.
Like his compatriot Pieter Boel in the 17th century, Rysbrack received various commissions to produce paintings for the menagerie at Versailles. The artist also received a royal commission for overdoor paintings of hunting scenes for the Chateau de la Muette, originally the hunting lodge of the French king but used by Louis XV to entertain his mistresses. Rijsbrack received 700 pounds for each hunting piece between 1749 and 1751.
Between 1748 and 1751 he also made paintings for the king’s mistress Madame de Pompadour, destined for the Ermitage of Pompadour and the Palace of Versailles.
He received 4,460 pounds for his paintings for the Ermitage. He is said to have died blind and impoverished in Antwerp to where he had returned at the end of his life.
Membership
He became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp in 1725.
