Lucas van Valkenborch (also "Valckenborch," "Valkenborgh") (c. 1535 - 2 February 1597) was a member of a family of Flemish Renaissance landscape and genre painters.
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Van Valckenborch was born in Leuven. According to Karel van Mander, he learned to paint landscapes in Mechelen, which was known as a center for oil and water-colours and especially landscape painting.[1] At the time of the Beeldenstorm in 1566 he left town with Marten van Valckenborch and they made a trip from Luik to Aachen along the Meuse (river), painting river valley views.[1] When William the Silent turned against the Spanish, they returned to the Netherlands, where they made many small clever pieces that sold well.[1] Lucas, who could paint figures just as easily as landscapes, then became patronized by Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor and travelled with him down the Danube as far as Linz, and made many works for him until the Turks invaded Hungary.[1]
According to the RKD he was the cousin of the painters Frederik and Gillis van Valckenborch, and the nephew of the painter Marten van Valckenborch (though they were close in age).[2] He is known for landscapes and still-lifes, as well as architectural studies.[2] He became the teacher of Georg Flegel.[2]
He died in Frankfurt am Main.
Lucas van Valkenborch is mentioned by the German writer W. G. Sebald in his book Austerlitz describing the painting View of Antwerp with the Frozen Schelde (1590).