Ratinckx Jos

Joseph Léopold Ratinckx was a Belgian artist, born in Antwerp in 1866 and deceased in Berchem, Antwerp, in 1937. He was a painter, watercolorist, and engraver. He studied at the Academy of Antwerp under N. De Keyser and Charles Verlat. He first made his name with drawings and engravings, but later exchanged the burin for the paintbrush. He produced religious and historical scenes as well as still lifes. He also executed frescoes in the Antwerp Palace of Justice. He was the founder and director of the Academy in Berchem. In addition, he was a bookbinder, printer, and poster publisher. Until 1935, the printing house Ratinckx Frères was located on the Grote Markt in Antwerp. He exhibited at the 35th exhibition held at the Casino in Ghent in 1892 (Het geneesmiddel, painting, and De sans-culottes der Kempen, watercolor), and at the Salon Triennal des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1903. He also took an interest in archaeology and was co-founder and vice-president of the Antwerp Archaeological Circle. He is listed in Two Centuries of Signatures by Belgian Artists. (Piron)