The Delousing

c. 1630

Palette shifts to browns, greys and greens

Brouwer's stylistic development cannot be traced with certainty, but pictures in bright natural colours are believed to date from the 1620s, while around 1630 his palette starts to favour browns, greys and greens. He painted in a free, sketchy manner, applying the paint thinly.

1631

Returns to Antwerp and joins the Guild of St Luke

Brouwer returns to his native Flanders and is registered as a master in the Antwerp Guild of St Luke, even before becoming a citizen of Antwerp. He lived and worked in the city until his death.

1631–1638

Debts and want in Antwerp

Brouwer's name regularly appears in Antwerp records in connection with the settlement of his debts; in his lifetime his paintings did not fetch high prices, and his household goods were seized for his creditors. His fellow artists valued him more highly than the market did: Rubens bought several of his pictures for his collection and tried to extend his patronage to the “incorrigible carouser”.

1631–1638 · Workplace

Antwerp