Flemish painter

Courtrai circa 1560 – 1635/42 Antwerp

 

Painter of landscapes and of mythological calamities.

It is unknown whom he studied with. He became master in the Painter’s Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp in the year 1585/86.

De Keuninck was the Master of Engelbert Ergo.

 

De Keuninck painted several types of landscapes:

- panoramic mountainous landscapes with fantastic, eccentric rocks

- forest landscapes, most of them very dramatic, some showing scattered houses

- hilly sceneries

Next to these landscapes de Keuninck was particularly fond of painting ancient towns burning: Troy and Sodom.

 

 

Typical of de Keuninck are: 

- his sense of drama, of exaggeration, of alienation 

- a strange, visionary, late-Mannerist atmosphere

- a strong contrast of light and shade

- a convincing suggestion of debt

 

He started as a late Mannerist painter of imaginary mountain scenery, influenced by Gillis van Coninxloo II and Frederik van Valckenborch. These large panoramic views were dominated by fantastic mountains and rock formations.

Over the years de Keuninck dropped these theatrical Mannerist characteristics for a calmer, more realistic style of painting. Although he never travelled to Italy he remained faithful to his love for Alpine landscapes.

 

De Keuninck regularly painted biblical figures, edifying examples who, in spite of everything, kept their true faith, such as Abraham, Christ, Saint Anthony or our Mary Magdalene.