Leys, HENRI JEAN AUGUSTE

Leys, HENRI JEAN AUGUSTE, Belgian painter, was born on 18th February 1815 at Antwerp, in which city most of his life was spent, and where he died on 26th August 1869. He was created baron by Leopold I. in 1862. Leys is one of the best modern artists in the style of the old Flemish masters. His most valuable and most characteristic pictures are inspired by the private life and stirring history of his native land—'Rembrandt's Studio' (1837), 'A Flemish Wedding' (1839), 'Public Worship in Antwerp Cathedral,' 'A Village Fête,' 'A Musical Party' (1846), 'Rubens Feasted by the Gunsmiths of Antwerp' (1851), 'New-year's Day in Flanders,' 'Luther Singing in the Streets of Eisenach' (1862), 'Erasmus in his Study,' 'Institution of the Golden Fleece,' and a series of frescoes in his own dining-room representing the history of a Flemish Festival. The last years of his life were occupied in painting six scenes from the history of Antwerp in the 16th century on the walls of the great hall in the town-house of Antwerp. Alma Tadema studied under Baron Leys. See Sulzberger's Henri Leys (Brns. 1885).