Gijsbrecht Leytens (1586 - 1656)

Gijsbrecht Leytens

Gijsbrecht Leytens was a Flemish landscape painter of the Early Baroque period. He was famous for his depiction of winter landscapes, which were considered his speciality and were characterised by a highly individualised style. He is considered one of the least studied Flemish painters of the Antwerp School.

Geisbrecht Leitens became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp in 1611. From that time he was entitled to open his own workshop in the city and train apprentices.

The master carefully observed winter nature and birds and developed an individual manner which distinguished him from the philosophical generalisations of Pieter Bruegel the elder or the cosy details and findings of Lucas van Falkenborgh. Trees in his paintings are usually depicted covered in snow, often oddly shaped. The branches of the denuded trees are replete with representations of various birds. The artist's creative style may have been influenced by paintings from the Dutch Mannerism period.