ABSTRACT
The name of David Teniers the Younger first emerges from the obscurity of his childhood in a document mentioned by van den Branden. Late in 1647 Teniers embarked on the most important phase of his artistic career. Nothing is known of Teniers's childhood or early education. In view of his later services as a courtier and business agent to Archduke Leopold Wilhelm it may be safely presumed that he did receive some formal education. Two documents dated December 16 and December 18, 1647, respectively, prove that he was in the service of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. Teniers's grey tones were most certainly derived from Adriaen Brouwer. They appear in late Brouwer paintings, such as the Bitter Drink and the Foot Operation. Teniers's lack of control is especially noticeable in hands and faces, but can also be observed in his treatment of drapery.
