Anthony Van Dyke was born in Antwerp in 1599. After studying painting under Hendrick van Balen he was accepted as a master of the guild of St Luke at Antwerp.

Van Dyke visited England in 1620 where he painted a full-length portrait of James I at Windsor. He also painted the wife of Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel. He returned to Europe and painted all the leading figures including the Prince of Orange.

In 1632 Van Dyke arrived back in England and Charles I appointed him as his Principal Painter. As well as the king he painted Henrietta Maria and her two children. He also painted William Laud, Earl of Denbigh, Earl of Pembroke, Thomas Wentworth, Algernon Percy and Prince Rupert.

Sir Anthony Van Dyke died in 1641 and was replaced as Principal Painter by William Dobson.