Sebastian Castro or Sebastianus a Castro was a Flemish

painter Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ai ...

specialized in marine painting who was active in Antwerp between 1633 and 1656.

Life

There are very few details about Sebastian Castro's life and training. It is believed he was of Portuguese descent and a member of a family, which had escaped the persecution of Jews during the Portuguese Inquisition of the early 1600s.About Laureys A. Castro
at Jean Moust He may have trained under

Andries van Eertvelt Andries van Eertvelt (1590 – 1652), was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and engraver who was one of the first Flemish artists to specialize in marine art. Several of his pupils also became prominent marine artists.Andreas van Eertvelt, "Embarkation of Spanish Troops"
at the National Maritime Museum Castro is first recorded as a Master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1633–34. In 1656 he was still in Antwerp when he was registered as present at the distribution of the moveable assets of the father of the painters Gaspar van Eyck and Nicolaes van Eyck.Sebastian Castro
at the Netherlands Institute for Art History Sebastian Castro was possibly the father of

Laureys a Castro Laureys a Castro or Lourenço A. Castro was a Flemish painter of marine views and portraits who is mainly known for his work carried out in England roughly between 1672 and 1700. He was regarded as a leading marine painter in England. Life The ...

(also known as Laureys Castro, Laureys A. Castro or Lorenzo A. Castro), a marine painter who was recorded as a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1664-65 and was later active in England.

Work

Castro was active in Antwerp as a marine painter. The few works by his hand that are currently known cover the range of subjects typical for marine painters in the 17th century such as sailing ships, port scenes and naval battles. These works show an influence by the Dutch development towards tonal painting while retaining typically Flemish stylistic elements. This is demonstrated in the '' Spanish Ships at Anchor'' (National Maritime Museum, Greenwich) which through the tonality of its colour scheme, low horizon and build-up of clouds in the background reveals a Dutch influence while its more theatrical lighting and schematic depiction of the ships show a typically 'Flemish' style. His '' Harbour Scene, Spanish Ships Approaching a Jetty'' (National Maritime Museum, Greenwich) again show a tonality of colour and low perspective. The painting shows Castro's skill in depicting figures and boats in a landscape setting without sacrificing an overall painterly effect. The brushwork of the work is open and fluid.Sebastian Castro, "Harbour Scene, Spanish Ships Approaching a Jetty"
at the National Maritime Museum

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Castro, Sebastian Flemish Baroque painters Flemish marine artists Artists from Antwerp Painters from Antwerp