Remigius van Leemput
Remigius van Leemput entered the world on the 18th of December 1607 in Antwerp. He received his baptism at a local church shortly after his birth. The young artist enrolled in the Guild of Saint Luke during the guild year that began on the 18th of September 1618. Frans van Lanckvelt the Elder served as his master during this period. Van Lanckvelt was not a famous painter but taught other notable artists like Theodoor Rombouts and Peeter Sion. Van Leemput worked under him for over a decade before achieving mastery himself. He gained admission to the Antwerp Guild in the year commencing the 18th of September 1628. This formal recognition allowed him to operate independently within the city's artistic community.
Van Leemput moved to England around 1632 following the path of Anthony van Dyck. George Geldorp accompanied him to London as another Flemish master from Antwerp. Both men became close associates of the dying portraitist during his final stay in the capital. Geldorp handled commercial aspects by selling copies and frames while van Leemput focused on production. He created full-size and reduced copies of van Dyck's portrait paintings with great speed. Historical records suggest he was the most prolific copyist of van Dyck's works available at the time. King Charles I commissioned a specific copy through Philip Herbert, the 4th Earl of Pembroke. This commission involved reproducing a group portrait featuring Henrietta Maria and their two eldest children.
Charles II later hired van Leemput to replicate a large wall painting by Hans Holbein the Younger. The original mural depicted Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII, and Jane Seymour at Whitehall Palace. Van Leemput received £150 for creating this small version in 1667. He painted a second copy of the same composition in 1669 which now hangs at Petworth House. These two versions remain the only surviving records of Holbein's entire design before it burned down in 1698. A maid left her washing near an open fire causing the destruction of the original artwork. Van Leemput also copied works by Peter Lely claiming superior skill over the living artist himself. He may have served as an assistant to Lely during his career in London.
Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, authorities sold off the royal art collection to pay debts. Van Leemput purchased thirty-five paintings and sculptures from this liquidation over six months. He acquired works by Titian, Giorgione, Correggio, and Andrea del Sarto during this period. A famous equestrian portrait by van Dyck featuring Charles I with M. de St Antoine also entered his possession. He attempted to sell this piece in Antwerp for 1,500 guineas but failed to find a buyer. It is possible he tried to sell a copy he had made himself rather than an original. The painting remained in his hands until legal proceedings
recovered it for Charles II after the Restoration.
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Common questions
When and where was Remigius van Leemput born?
Remigius van Leemput entered the world on the 18th of December 1607 in Antwerp. He received his baptism at a local church shortly after his birth.
Who taught Remigius van Leemput during his apprenticeship?
Frans van Lanckvelt the Elder served as his master when he enrolled in the Guild of Saint Luke during the guild year that began on the 18th of September 1618. Van Leemput worked under him for over a decade before achieving mastery himself.
Why did Remigius van Leemput move to England around 1632?
Van Leemput moved to England following the path of Anthony van Dyck. George Geldorp accompanied him to London as another Flemish master from Antwerp while both men became close associates of the dying portraitist during his final stay in the capital.
What commission did Charles II give to Remigius van Leemput regarding Hans Holbein the Younger?
Charles II later hired van Leemput to replicate a large wall painting by Hans Holbein the Younger depicting Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII, and Jane Seymour at Whitehall Palace. Van Leemput received £150 for creating this small version in 1667.
How many paintings and sculptures did Remigius van Leemput purchase after the execution of Charles I in 1649?
Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, authorities sold off the royal art collection to pay debts and Van Leemput purchased thirty-five paintings and sculptures from this liquidation over six months. He acquired works by Titian, Giorgione, Correggio, and Andrea del Sarto during this period.