The Life and Art of Catarina Ykens
Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Catarina Ykens was the daughter of the painter Johannes Ykens and Barbara Brekevelt. She apprenticed under her father and eventually became a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke during the guild year 1687–1688. The guild records describe her as a geestelycke dochter, a term for an unmarried Catholic woman who took a vow of chastity before a priest. While she is known for her still lifes, she is also believed to have painted history paintings featuring biblical themes. Her latest known dated work is a Nativity from 1737 in Aix-en-Provence.
Floral Masterpieces and Vanitas Symbolism
Ykens is recognized for her work in several specialized genres, including:
One of her compositions, Vanitas bust of a lady with a crown of flowers on a ledge, features a skull crowned with a wig and a bird picking at berries on a branch.
