Franz Vinck (1827–1903) - The Two Lovers - Oil

Franz Kaspar Huibrecht VINCK
(Antwerp, 1827 – Berchem, 1903)

The Two Lovers

Oil on canvas
Signed below
82 x 56 cm without frame

A student of Edward Dujardin (1817-1889) and Joseph Dyckmans (1811-1888) at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts, then of Baron Henri Leys (1815-1869), Vinck made his debut at the Antwerp Salon in 1846 with a painting that was later exhibited in the United States in Philadelphia. He then left for Paris accompanied by a fellow artist and there copied the masters of the Louvre. Back in Antwerp in 1852, he participated in the Prix de Rome and was beaten by Ferdinand Pauwels (1830-1904). However, Vinck was still able to accompany Pauwels to Italy thanks to his father's employer, who offered him the trip. On the way to Rome, the artist took the opportunity to spend some time in Paris, where he met, among others, the Belgian Romantic painter Gustaf Wappers (1803-1874), who had just resigned from his position as director of the Antwerp Academy. After nine months in Paris, Vinck decided to head to Rome. Shortly after his arrival, he sent a painting to Antwerp, which was met with great critical acclaim, earning him financial aid from the Belgian government. Returning to Antwerp in 1856, Vinck was invited by the painter Florent Mols-Brialmont (1811-1896) to join him on a trip to the Middle East. He then spent the year traveling in Egypt and Palestine. After his marriage in 1859, our painter settled in Brussels. Failing to achieve the desired success in the Belgian capital, Vinck returned to Antwerp in 1866 and began working with Baron Henri Leys, who was then enjoying an international reputation. Under the master's influence, he began to focus more on history paintings to the detriment of religious painting. He then sent several works to the Paris Salons between 1869 and 1874. Vinck then became a professor at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts from 1885. In Antwerp, Franz Vinck received numerous official commissions, such as the decoration of the Hall of Honour in the Town Hall. He also completed seven Stations of the Cross for Antwerp Cathedral. Abroad, he completed all the Stations of the Cross for the churches of Saint Nicholas in Boulogne-sur-Mer and St Cuthbert, Earl's Court in London. Having received medals in Brussels, Vienna, London, Philadelphia, Lyon, and Dunkirk, Vinck was made a Knight of the Order of Leopold. Known primarily for his religious and historical paintings, Vinck was strongly influenced by his masters, Dyckmans and Leys. Like them, he drew inspiration from the 17th century, which he recreated in painting in a meticulous and colorful style through genre scenes and historical events from Belgian national history.

Museums: Antwerp, Liège, New Orleans, etc.