Hendrik Schaefelsartist • painterAntwerpen (België) 1827-1904

Hendrik (‘Rik’) Schaefels was a Flemish Romantic painter, draftsman, and engraver who gained fame in the mid-19th century for his cityscapes and seascapes. He was appreciated throughout Europe for his depictions of glorious historical naval battles, which he not only painted but also captured in etchings and drawings. He could often be found in the port of Antwerp, where he captured the various types of ships, the activities of dockworkers, the quays, and the shipyards, thereby providing valuable historical information. His early work consisted primarily of cityscapes of Antwerp. Here, too, he proceeded in the same meticulous manner, first going outdoors to observe and sketch street life and buildings, and then elaborating on them. In addition, Schaefels created genre scenes and landscapes with figures, and became known for his book illustrations, including the edition of 'Tijl Uilenspiegel' stories published in Paris in 1869.