Vlerick, Peter

Vlerick, Peter a Flemish painter, was born at Courtray in 1539. He was first instructed by William Snellaert, and afterwards by Charles d'Ypres. But the capricious disposition of the latter caused him to quit his studio in two years. He then traveled through France, supporting himself with his pencil, and, after a short residence in Paris, he proceeded to Italy. He remained at Venice four years, during which he secured the friendship and instruction of Tintoretto, and then went to Rome to study the antique and the works of the great masters. He also visited Naples and Puteoli. In 1568 he returned to Flanders, where he spent the remainder of his life. Among his many excellent works are the Brazen Serpent: —Judith with the Head of Holofernes: — the Four Evangelists: —and the Crucifixion. He was skilled in perspective and architecture, with which he enriched his backgrounds. He died in 1581. See Spooner Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.