Peter Paul Rubens

• In the early 17h century, Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens created an exuberant portfolio of paintings popular with the nobility and private art collectors of the day. His colorful paintings featured legendary figures from Greek mythology, caught in the decisive moment. Rubens uses fast, spontaneous brush strokes to bring to life David as he sweeps his sword above his head in preparation for dealing Goliath the fatal blow. Rubens also painted portraits of Queen Anne and King Louis XIII of France and many religious scenes featuring saints, angels and nuns.
  
  

Anthony van Dyck

• "Portrait of a Man in Armour with Red Scarf," an oil painting by Anthony Van Dyck.Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  The National Gallery of Art calls Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck a true genius of portraiture. After studying with Peter Paul Rubens, van Dyck gained notoriety for flattering a subject through complimentary angles, expert lighting and elaborate settings. Van Dyck's approach to formal portraiture influences modern day painters and photographers; contemporary artists also study van Dyck's religious and mythological scenes.
  
  

Jacob Jordaens

• Jacob Jordeans completed the trio of founding members of the Antwerp school of painting, along with Flemish painters Anthony van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens. Unlike van Dyck and Rubens, Jordaens remained in Flanders from birth to death. His paintings showed the local character of Antwerp though portraits of local peasants celebrating, and his studio employed dozens of young aspirational artists.
  
  

David Teniers the Younger

• David Teniers' "The Five Senses," on display at the Brussels Museum.Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  David Teniers' paintings often featured groups of peasants living common lives in the open air of Flanders. Teniers led a successful life painting on commission to the great courts of Europe, including the King of Spain, Prince William of Orange and Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, the Governor of the Netherlands. The Archduke in particular supported Teniers' work, going so far as to collect his paintings to create Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum. During the 18th century, tapestry makers wove designs based on his paintings.