Martin Ryckaert, also Maerten or Marten Rijckaert was a Flemish painter who was known for his small, usually imaginary landscapes in an Italianate style.
Background
Martin Ryckaert was a member of the Ryckaert (or Rijckaert) family of artists, Martin was the son of David Ryckaert I, the younger brother of David Ryckaert II, and the uncle of David Ryckaert III. Martin probably first studied with his father and was later a pupil of Tobias Verhaecht (or Verhaeght).
Career
As the result of a birth defect or because of an accident, he had only one arm
lieutenant is believed he traveled to Italy between 1607 and 1610 although no documentary evidence of this trip has been foundation lieutenant is believed that during his stay in Italy he practised plein air sketching. Martin rejoined the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1611 and was registered as the "painter with one arm".
He spent the remainder of his professional career in his native city.
He was active in the local Chamber of rhetoric De Violieren. This portrait was in the possession of Martin Ryckaert when he died and is today in the Prado in Madrid.
The portrait was engraved by Jacob Neefs and then included in van Dyck"s book project entitled "Iconography" which contained portraits of famous people of that time. Ryckaert fell ill in early 1631 and died in Antwerp on 28 October.
Membership
Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke. Ryckaert family]
Martin became a member of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1607.