(1624 - 1677)
Pieter Thys, a painter of portraits, religious and history subjects, was born in Antwerp. He studied under Artus Deurwerders and established a studio in Antwerp in 1645. In 1648 Thys married Constantia van der Beken. He later served as Dean of the Guild in Antwerp (1660–61), but was called to Holland by Stathouder William II. Thys became a painter in the court of Emperor Leopold I. He was married for a second time, to Anna Buyrdezom, in 1670. His religious works include paintings for the churches of St James in Antwerp; St Peter in Louvain, Belgium; Notre Dame in Dendermonde, Belgium; and Arc-et-Senans, eastern France. His portraits include those of King Charles II and Herman Joseph van der Porter, Abbot of Saint Michael's church, Antwerp.
