As the son of a decorative painter, Julien Creytens came into contact with painting at a young age already. He attended the academy in Antwerp and from about 1919 was taught by Isidoor Opsomer at the 'Hoger Instituut' in the same city. In 1949 he would become its director. Despite the innovative art movements of his time, Creytens emphasizes the representation and the liveliness of the subject. He made a name for himself as a marine painter, but he is also known for particularly beautiful landscapes, portraits, still lifes and cityscapes.