Antwerp School definition

The Antwerp School is a term coined for artists during the 1500s in the city of Antwerp, which was the hub of economic activity of the Low Countries.  It was also used for the artists during the 1600s when it became the powerhouse of Flemish Barque.  The city of Antwerp replaced Bruges as the powerhouse of commerce of the Low Countries.  Craftpersons and artists banded together to form the Guild of Saint Luke, which provided necessary skills/knowledge of the arts/crafts and ensured the products produced were well made.  The Antwerp Mannerists were the 1st school of artists coming out of Antwerp.  These artists were active from 1500 - 1520 in creating Gothic artwork.  

During the 1600s Antwerp revived again as an artistic center.  Jacob Jordaens , Anthony van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens were influential in propping up Antwerp as a hub of Flemish Baroque.    A large body of book illustrations and old master prints were made during this time.  However, over time due to the economy, several artist persons moved away, and towards the late 1600s the city could no longer boast of being a main art center.