The Life and Travels of Anthoni Schoonjans
Anthoni Schoonjans, also known by the nickname Parrhasius, was a Flemish painter born in Ninove. After receiving his training in Antwerp under Erasmus Quellinus II and Jan-Erasmus Quellinus, his career took him across much of Europe. His journey included stays in France, specifically Reims and Paris, and a significant period in Rome, where he resided with the flower painter Carel de Vogelaer. During his time in Rome, he joined the Bentvueghels, a society for Flemish and Dutch artists.
His international presence saw him serve as a court painter in several locations, including Copenhagen, Berlin, and Düsseldorf. In Vienna, he became a court painter to Emperor Leopold I and married the opera singer Maria Regina Schweizer. His travels also led him to Frankfurt am Main, Kassel, Hamburg, The Hague, Amsterdam, and England, where he painted the stairwell in Montagu House. He eventually returned to Vienna, spending his final years in Perchtoldsdorf before passing away in 1726.
Artistic Subjects and Commissions
The works of Anthoni Schoonjans encompassed a variety of genres, including:
His religious commissions included an altarpiece of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian for St. Roch's Church and a Visitation of Mary for St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. In Denmark, he was invited by the court to paint portraits of the royal family. While in Berlin, he was commissioned by Queen Sophie Charlotte to paint the ceiling, rooms, and galleries of Charlottenburg Palace. His portraiture also extended to figures such as the composer Giovanni Bononcini and Attilio Ariosti. In Düsseldorf, he painted the portrait of the Elector Johann Wilhelm and his wife.
Questions & Answers
Where are Anthoni Schoonjans's artworks organized by color?
The Spectral Index of Anthoni Schoonjans is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.
Is there a complete list of Anthoni Schoonjans's artworks?
Every work by Anthoni Schoonjans on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
What moods do Anthoni Schoonjans's artworks express?
The artist's Mood Room page shows Anthoni Schoonjans's artworks arranged by their atmosphere.
How did Anthoni Schoonjans's art evolve over time?
A chronological account of Anthoni Schoonjans's work is available on the artist's Chronicle page, where the artworks pass in order of creation, chapter by chapter.
