Pieter Franciscus Dierckx (born with Antwerp the February 7th 1871 - deceased with Antwerp the September 4th 1950) made its studies with the Academy of Beautiful arts with Antwerp and at the Institute of higher learning in Antwerp. Its professors were among other Juliaan De Vriendt, his/her brother Albert De Vriendt and Karel Verlat.

Life and works

He was member of from Antwerp artistic circle “De Scalden”. In September 1896, it is named director with the Art school to the Thames (in Dutch: Temse) and, at the same time, it becomes responsible for the class for drawing. It modernizes the school and the level raises some. Pieter Dierckx passes for one of the most important directors in the history of the Academy of the Thames. As aquafortist and graphic author, it places his talents at the disposal of the social organizations (posters, headings,…). Thus, it illustrates the “Studentenliederboek” (collection of songs of students - 1899) of Karel Heyndrickx. In 1910, it illustrates some books of Lodewijk Scheltjens (1861 - 1946), writer of tales for children. In 1912, he cooperates with the realization of the historical procession with Rupelmonde at the time of the 400ème birthday of the birth of Mercator. During the First World War, it paints the rural life with the Thames which one finds in following works: “potato cleaners at the convalescent home”, “the sober meal”, “distribution of soup”, “the Barking of the wicker”, “the lacemaker”, “the sabot-maker”, “the basket maker”, “the small quay” (1917), “the burned farm”, “the guard barrier”, “the family of Tisserand”, “the wheel”, etc

The majority of its works represent landscapes. The sights of forests take a dominating place there. Belonging to the neo-impressionist school, the light plays a very important part in its works. It is also attracted by the historical kind. On the recommendation of Franz Courtens, which had a great regard for the work of Pieter Dierckx, it is charged to paint two historical paintings for the room of council of the town of Lokeren. One represents Charles Quint which gives, in 1555, with the deputies of the town of Lokeren the charter making it possible to organize a weekly market. The other shows us the installation of the guild Saint Sebastien by Albert and Isabelle in 1613. They are large tables which confirm the glory of the Leys school and which, moreover, show that Pieter Dierckx can evoke in a masterly way the historical scenes. In May 1919, it goes back to Antwerp where it begins a workshop of painting. Table “ the Preaching of Willibrord Saint at the edge of the Scheldt ” measuring more than 5 meters of width, confirms, once more, are historical talent of painter. This work is with the church of Crowned Heart in Antwerp, Lange Beeldekensstraat 18. Works “ the morning Round of the Sylphids ” and “ Orphée, the mélodieux singer of Trace ” (1942) represent mythological topics. It also proved its authority as regards Portraitiste. Since 1952, the Art school to the Thames gives a biennial price “Price of Painting Pieter Dierckx”. In 1986, the commune of the Thames gave a new street the name of Pieter Dierckx.

Pieter Dierckx belongs to the tradition of the large Masters of its generation, or it takes a privileged place.

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