List of people from Antwerp

This is a list of notable people from Antwerp, who were either born in Antwerp, or spent part of their life there.

Self Portrait, by Anthony van Dyck

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Born in Antwerp

Pre-16th century

• Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence, son of Edward III of England (1338–1368)
• Jacobus Barbireau, composer (1455–1491)
• Lucas Adriaens, painter (1459–1493)
• Daniel Bomberg, printer (c. 1475 – 1549)
• Joachim Sterck van Ringelbergh, scholar, humanist, mathematician, and astrologer (c. 1499 – c. 1556)

16th century

Jan Gruter

Pieter de Carpentier

• Hieronymus Cockx, painter and engraver (1510–1570)
• Hubert Waelrant, composer, teacher, and music editor of the Renaissance (c. 1517–1595)
• Frans Floris, painter (1520–1570)
• Abraham Ortelius, cartographer and geographer (1527–1598)
• Jacques Jonghelinck, sculptor and medalist (1530–1606)
• Emanuel van Meteren, historian and consul in London (1535–1612)
• Denis Calvaert, painter (1540–1619)
• Cornelis van Aarsens, statesman (1545–1627)
• Gillis van Coninxloo, painter of forest landscapes (1544–1607)
• Hans Collaert, engraver (c. 1545–1628)
• Joris Hoefnagel, painter and engraver (1545–1601)
• Bartholomeus Spranger, painter, draughtsman, and etcher (1546–1611)
• George de La Hèle (1547–1586) was a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance
• Federigo Giambelli, Italian military and civil engineer (c. 1550-c. 1610)
• Paul Bril and Matthijs Bril, landscape painters (1554–1626, 1550–1583, respectively)
• Martin Delrio, Jesuit theologian (1551–1608)
• Andreas Schottus, academic, linguist, translator, and editor (1552–1629)
• Jan Gruter, critic and scholar (1560–1627)
• Jacob de Gheyn II, painter and engraver (1562–1629)
• Joachim van den Hove, composer and lutenist (c. 1567–1620)
• Frans Pourbus the younger, painter (1569–1622)
• Abraham Janssens, painter (c. 1570–1632)
• Ambrosius Bosschaert, still-life painter (1573–1621)
• Rodrigo Calderón, Count of Oliva, Spanish favourite and adventurer (died 1621)
• Gillis d'Hondecoeter, painter (birth in Antwerp uncertain, 1575/80–1638)
• Hendrick van Balen, painter (1575–1632)
• Frans Snyders, still-life and animal painter (1579–1657)
• Frans Hals, painter (1580–1666)
• Caspar de Crayer, painter (1582–1669)
• David Teniers the Elder, painter (1582–1649)
• Cornelis de Vos, painter (1584–1651)
• Jacob Le Maire, Dutch mariner (c. 1585–1616)
• Pieter de Carpentier, administrator and Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies (1586/88–1659)
• Antonius Sanderus, historian, philologian, and theologian (1586–1664)
• Guilielmus Messaus, composer (1589–1640)
• Jacob Jordaens, painter (1593–1678)
• Clara Peeters, painter (1594–c. 1657)
• Jean-Charles de la Faille, Jesuit mathematician (1597–1652)
• Justus Sustermans, Baroque painter (1597–1681)
• Anthony van Dyck, painter (1599–1641)
• Adriaen van Utrecht, painter (1599–1652)
• Francken, family of painters (16th and 17th century)

17th and 18th century

Jacob Jordaens, Self-Portrait with Parents, Brothers, and Sisters (c. 1615). Oil on canvas. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

• Quellinus, family of artists, painters, and sculptors (17th century)
• Gaspar Roomer, merchant and art patron (died 1674)
• Jan Brueghel the Younger, painter (1601–1678)
• François Ykens, painter (1601–1693)
• Theodorus Moretus, mathematician, theologian, geometer and Jesuit (1602–1667)
• Franciscus van den Enden, Baruch Spinoza's teacher (c. 1602 – 1674)
• Leonora Duarte, composer and musician (1610–1678)
• David Teniers the Younger, painter (1610–1690)
• Jan Fyt, animal painter (1611–1661)
• André Tacquet, mathematician (1612–1660)
• Gonzales Coques, painter (1614–1684)
• Carstian Luyckx, painter (c. 1623 – c. 1675)
• Pieter Boel, still-life painter (1626–1674)
• Jan van Kessel, senior, still-life painter (1626–1679)
• Philip Fruytiers, painter (1627–1666)
• Jan Siberechts, painter (1627–1703)
• Abraham Brueghel, painter (1631–1690)
• Nikolaus van Hoy, Baroque painter, draughtsman, and etcher (1631–1679)
• David Teniers III, painter (1638–1685)
• Gerard Edelinck, copper-plate engraver (1649–1707)
• Emmanuel Schelstrate, Roman Catholic theologian (1649–1692)
• Pseudo-Simons, painter (1650–1680)
• Jan van Kessel the Younger, painter (1654–1708)
• Thomas Quellinus, Baroque sculptor (1661–1709)
• Jan Frans van Bloemen, painter (1662–1740)
• Jan Frans van Bredael, painter (1683–1750)
• Peter Scheemakers, sculptor (1691–1781)
• John Michael Rysbrack, sculptor (1694–1770)

19th century

• Egide Charles Gustave Wappers, painter (1803–1874)
• Guillaume Geefs, sculptor (1805–1883)
• Hendrik Conscience, writer and author of De Leeuw van Vlaanderen ("The Lion of Flanders") (1812–1883)
• Jan August Hendrik Leys, painter (1815–1869)
• Jan van Beers, poet (1821–1888)
• Johann Coaz, Swiss forester, topographer and mountaineer (1822–1918)
• Michel Marie Charles Verlat, painter (1824–1890)
• Henri Jean Augustin de Braekeleer, painter (1840–1888)
• Julien Dillens, sculptor (1849–1904)
• Jef Lambeaux, sculptor (1852–1908)
• Georges Eekhoud, novelist (1854–1927)
• Libert H. Boeynaems, vicar apostolic of the Hawaiian islands (1857–1926)
• Hippolyte Delehaye, Jesuit and hagiographic scholar (1859–1941)
• Arthur Van Gehuchten, anatomist (1861–1914/15)
• Henry van de Velde, painter, architect, and interior designer (1863–1957)
• Johannes Jacobus Smith, botanist (1867–1947)
• Pierre de Caters, adventurer, aviator, car and motorboat racer (1875–1944)
• Eugeen Van Mieghem, painter (1875–1930)
• Willem Elsschot, writer and poet (1882–1960)
• Camille Clifford, actress (1885–1971)
• Constant Permeke, expressionist painter (1886–1952)
• Jef van Hoof, composer and conductor, (1886–1959)
• Georges Vantongerloo, abstract sculptor and painter (1886–1965)
• Jean Langenus, international football referee (1891–1952)
• Pierre Ryckmans, head of the Belgian colony of Congo (1891–1959)
• Paul van Ostaijen, poet and writer (1896–1928)
• Marnix Gijsen, writer (1899–1984)

20th century

• Albert Lilar, Minister of Justice (1900–1976)
• Gérard Blitz, water polo player (1901–1990)
• Lode Zielens, novelist and journalist (1901–1944)
• George Koltanowski, chess player and promoter (1903–2000)
• Frédérique Petrides, (née Frédérique Mayer) orchestral conductor and publisher (1903–1983)
• Karel Bossart, rocket designer (1904–1975)
• Maurice Anthony Biot, physicist and founder of the theory of poroelasticity (1905–1985)
• André Cluytens, conductor (1905–1967)
• Jef Maes, composer (1905–1996)
• Georges Ronsse, cyclo-cross and road bicycle racer (1906–1969)
• Maurice van Essche, Belgian-born South African painter (1906–1977)
• Edmond de Goeyse, student leader (1907–1998)
• Jean Servais, actor (1910–1976)
• Willy Vandersteen, creator of comic books (1913–1990)
• Edward Schillebeeckx, theologian (1914–2009)
• Hubert Lampo, writer (1920–2006)
• Guy Thys, national football coach (1922–2003)
• Jan Yoors, photographer, painter, sculptor, writer, and Gypsy (1922–1977)
• Karel Goeyvaerts, composer (1923–1993)
• Jacques Sternberg, writer of science fiction (1923–2006)
• Ward de Ravet, actor (1924–2013)
• Leo Apostel, philosopher (1925–1995)
• Bob de Moor, comic artist (1925–1992)
• Karel Dillen, politician (1925–2007)
• Bobbejaan Schoepen, entertainer, singer, guitarist, composer, and actor (1925–2010)
• Paul Van Hoeydonck, printmaker and painter (born 1925)
• Victor Mees, footballer (1927–2010)
• Jef Nys, comic book creator (1927–2009)
• Henry Spira, animal rights activist (1927–1998)
• Bob Van der Veken, television actor (born 1928)
• Maurice Tempelsman, diamond merchant and industrialist (born 1929)
• Jan Vansina, historian and anthropologist (born 1929)
• Françoise Mallet-Joris, writer and member of the Académie Goncourt (born 1930)
• Bert Eriksson, neo-Nazi and Flemish nationalist (1931–2005)
• Simon Kornblit, film studio executive for Universal Pictures (1933–2010)
• Marc Rich, international commodities trader (born 1934)
• Henry Geldzahler, curator of contemporary art (1935–1994)
• Fernando Sanchez, Spanish fashion designer (1935–2006)
• Martine Franck, photographer (born 1938)
• Harry Kümel, film director (born 1940)
• Jean-Baptiste Baronian, critic, essayist, writer, and novelist (born 1942)
• Magda Francot, painter (born 1942)
• Hugo Heyrman, painter and multimedia artist (born 1942)
• Wim Blockmans, writer and professor of medieval history at Leiden University (born 1945)
• Ann Christy, singer (1945–1984)
• Georges Pintens, road bicycle racer (born 1946)
• Guillaume Bijl, artist (born 1946)
• Carl Verbraeken, composer (born 1950)
• Ronald Zollman, conductor (born 1950)
• Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven, painter, drawer, computer and video artist (born 1951)
• Ludo Coeck, footballer (1955–1985)
• Patrick Janssens, Socialist politician and mayor of Antwerp (born 1956)
• Jan Fabre, drawer, sculptor, director, writer, choreographer, and designer (born 1958)
• Jan Leyers, singer, songwriter, and television personality (born 1958)
• Luc Cromheecke, comic artist (born 1961)
• Rita Bellens, politician (born 1962)
• Robert C. Hancké, economist (born 1962)
• Rudy Trouvé, musician (born 1967)
• Els Callens, professional tennis player (born 1970)
• Tom Barman, film director, musician, and singer of dEUS (born 1972)
• Anke Vandermeersch, politician and former beauty queen (born 1972)
• Christian Olde Wolbers, bassist of the industrial metal band Fear Factory (born 1972)
• Mike Dierickx, also known as M.I.K.E., DJ and music producer (born 1973)
• An Pierlé, pianist and singer-songwriter (born 1974)
• Matthias Schoenaerts, actor (born 1977)
• Steven De Lelie, actor and director (born 1977)
• Jeffrey van Hooydonk, racing car driver (born 1977)
• Tia Hellebaut, track and field athlete (born 1978)
• Evi Goffin, vocalist of the musical group Lasgo (born 1981)
• Dickson Agyeman, football mid-fielder (born 1985)
• Laetitia Beck (born 1992), Belgian-born Israeli golfer
• Jérémie Makiese (born 2000), Belgian-Congolese singer and footballer who will represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Lived in Antwerp

Pre-16th century

• Saint Pirmin, monk (c. 670–753)
• Lodewyk van Berken, inventor of the scaif (15th century)
• Johannes Pullois, Franco-Flemish composer (died 1478)
• Matthaeus Pipelare, composer, choir director, and wind instrument player (c. 1450 – c. 1515)
• Quentin Matsys, Renaissance painter, founder of the Antwerp school (1466–1530)
• Pierre Alamire, music copyist, composer, instrumentalist, mining engineer, merchant, diplomat, and spy (c. 1470 – 1536)
• Jan Mabuse, painter (c. 1478 – 1532)
• Jacob van Utrecht, painter (c. 1479 – c. 1525)
• Joachim Patinir, landscape and religious painter (c. 1480 – 1524)
• Richard Aertsz, historical painter (1482–1577)

16th century

• John Rogers, Minister of religion, Bible translator and commentator, and martyr (c. 1500 – 1555)
• Jan Sanders van Hemessen, painter (c. 1500 – c. 1566)
• Tielman Susato, composer, instrumentalist, and publisher of music (c. 1510/15 – after 1570)
• Joos van Cleve, painter (c. 1500 – 1540/41)
• Damião de Góis, Portuguese humanist philosopher (1502–1574)
• Gerard de Jode, cartographer, engraver, and publisher (1509–1591)
• Steven Mierdman, printer (born c. 1510)
• Gracia Mendes Nasi, wealthy businesswoman (1510–1569)
• Hans Hendrik van Paesschen, architect (c. 1510 – 1582)
• Johannes Goropius Becanus, physician, linguist, and humanist (1519–1572)
• Thomas Gresham, English merchant and financier (c. 1519 – 1579)
• Anthony More, portrait painter (1520 – c. 1577)
• Christoffel Plantijn, humanist, book printer and publisher (c. 1520 – 1589)
• Crispin van den Broeck, painter (1523–1591)
• Pieter Brueghel the Elder, painter and printmaker (1525–1569)
• Thomas Cartwright, English Puritan churchman (c. 1535 – 1603)
• Philippe Galle, designer and engraver (1537–1612)
• Philip van Marnix, writer and statesman (1538–1598)
• Andreas Pevernage, composer (1542/43–1591)
• Jan Moretus, printer (1543–1610)
• François d'Aguilon, mathematician and physicist (1546–1617)
• Simon Stevin, mathematician and engineer (c. 1548 – 1620)
• Federigo Giambelli, Italian military engineer (born c. 1550)
• Louis de Caullery, painter (c. 1560 – 1621/22)
• Dudley Fenner, English Puritan divine (c. 1558 – 1587)
• Jan Vermeyen, goldsmith (c. 1559 – 1606)
• Richard Rowlands, antiquary (c. 1560 – 1620)
• John Bull, Welsh composer, musician, and organ builder (c. 1562 – 1628)
• Cornelis Verdonck, composer (1563–1625)
• Jan Brueghel the Elder, also known as "Velvet" Brueghel, painter (1568–1625)
• Peter Paul Rubens, painter (1577–1640)
• William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle, English soldier, politician, and writer (c. 1592 – 1676)
• Abraham van Diepenbeeck, erudite and painter (1596–1675)
• Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order

17th and 18th century

• Adriaen Brouwer, painter (1605–1638)
• Jan Davidszoon de Heem, painter (1606–1684)
• Wenceslas Hollar, Bohemian etcher (1607–1677)
• Jan Lievens, painter (1607–1674)
• Thomas Willeboirts Bosschaert, painter (1613–1656)
• Peter Talbot, Roman Catholic archbishop of Dublin (1620–1680)
• Charles II of England, king in exile in Antwerp (1630–1685)
• Jan Frans Willems, writer (1793–1846)

19th century

• Abraham van der Waeyen Pieterszen, painter (1817–1880)
• Henri Alexis Brialmont, military engineer (1821–1903)
• Lawrence Alma-Tadema, painter (1836–1912)
• Albrecht De Vriendt (Ghent, 1843 – Antwerp, 1900), painter of genre scenes, history paintings, interiors and figure paintings
• De Vriendt brothers, painters (born 1842/43)
• Jan De Vos, mayor (1844–1923)
• Vincent van Gogh, impressionist painter, lived in Antwerp for about four months (1853–1890)
• Neel Doff, writer (1858–1942)
• Walter Osborne, Irish impressionist (1859–1903)
• Asriel Günzig, rabbi (1868–1931)
• Camille Huysmans, Socialist politician and former Prime Minister of Belgium (1871–1968)
• Jules Van Nuffel, musicologist, composer, and expert on religious music (1883–1953)

20th century

• Albert Lilar, Minister of Justice (1900–1976)
• Suzanne Lilar, writer (1901–1992)
• Charlotte Bergman, art collector (1903–2002)
• Chaim Kreiswirth, Chief Rabbi (1918–2001)
• Jan Cox, painter (1919–1980)
• Hugo Schiltz, lawyer and politician (1927–2006)
• Françoise Mallet-Joris, writer (born 1930)
• Godfried Danneels, archbishop and cardinal (born 1933)
• Myriam Sarachik, physicist and recipient of the Buckley Prize in 2005 (1933–2021)
• Giya Kancheli, Georgian composer (1935–2019)
• Wannes Van de Velde, singer, musician, poet (1937–2008)
• Ward Beysen, politician and freemason (1941–2005)
• Robbe De Hert, film director (born 1942)
• Robert Cailliau, co-developer of the World Wide Web (born 1947)
• Roberto Mangou, painter (born 1950)
• Luc Tuymans, artist and painter (born 1958)
• The "Antwerp Six": Walter Van Beirendonck (born 1957), Ann Demeulemeester (born 1959), Dries van Noten (born 1958), Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs (born 1959), and Marina Yee, fashion designers
• Martin Margiela, fashion designer (born 1959)
• Matthias Storme, lawyer, academic, thinker, and politician (born 1959)
• Stef Bos, singer (born 1961)
• Filip Dewinter, politician (born 1962)
• Erik Van Looy, film director (born 1962)
• Anne Provoost, author of myths, tales, and bible stories (born 1964)
• Fons Borginon, politician and lawyer (born 1966)
• Stef Driesen, artist (born 1966)
• Raf Simons, fashion designer (born 1968)
• Mauro Pawlowski, guitar player of dEUS and Evil Superstars (born 1971)
• David Palmer, squash player (born 1976)
• Matthias Schoenaerts, actor (born 1977)
• Veerle Casteleyn, ballet and jazz dancer (born 1978)
• Jessica Van Der Steen, model (born 1984)
• Rustemi Kreshnik, kickboxer (born 1984)
• Yves V, DJ, producer and electronic musician (born 1981)