Theodoor van Thulden (1606–1669)

• Was a painter, draughtsman and engraver from 's-Hertogenbosch.
• He is mainly known for his altarpieces, mythological subjects, allegorical works and portraits.
• He was active in Antwerp, where he had trained, as well as in Paris and his native 's-Hertogenbosch.
• Van Thulden was the oldest of at least nine children of whom one called Franchois would also become a painter.
• Around 1621 van Thulden left his hometown for Antwerp where he became a pupil of Abraham van Blijenberch.
• In 1626 van Thulden became a master in the Guild of St. Luke of Antwerp.
• Between 1631 and 1633 or 1634, he stayed in Paris where he studied the works of the Mannerist masters of the School of Fontainebleau.
• In 1635 van Thulden returned to Antwerp where on 24 July 1635 he married Maria van Balen, daughter of the prominent Antwerp painter Hendrick van Balen the Elder.
• The godfather at his wife's baptism had been no one less than Peter Paul Rubens.
• It is from this time onwards that van Thulden's collaboration with Rubens is firmly documented.
• In 1643 Theodoor had left Antwerp and lived in Oirschot where he became a citizen in October 1644.
• By 1646 or 1647 van Thulden had moved to 's-Hertogenbosch, he died there on 12 July 1669.
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