Rombouts, Dirck

Rombouts, Dirck, a Flemish historical painter, was born at Antwerp July 1, 1597. A pupil of Jansen's, he inherited the hatred of his master for Rubens, and opened a rival school. In 1617 he went to Italy, where his reputation was soon established, and he was called to the court or the grand-duke Cosmo II. He returned to Antwerp, where he spent the rest of his life. He was master of the Guild of St. Luke and held municipal offices. He died in 1637. The Taking-down from the Cross, St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata, and Themis with the Attributes of Justice show him to have possessed the qualities of a great master.