Nicolaas II Rockox
|
Nicolaas Rockox knight |
|
|---|---|
Nicolaas II Rockox,
painted by Otto van Veen. |
|
| Mayor of Antwerp | |
| Monarch | Philip II of Spain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 December 1560 |
| Died | 12 December 1640 (aged 79) Antwerp |
| Spouse(s) | lady Adriana Perez (1568–1619) |
Nicolaas II Rockox (1560-1640), knight, was a mayor of Antwerp. He is known to have been a personal friend of Peter Paul Rubens, and was the first resident of the Rockox House.
Rockox belonged to an important noble family in Antwerp. He was the son of Adrian II and Isabella van Olmen and a nephew of John III van de Werve, Lord of Hovorst. He was a first cousin of Lancelot II of Ursel, mayor of Antwerp.
In 1589, in Antwerp Cathedral, he married the Spanish lady Adriana Perez (1568–1619), child of the rich merchand Luis Perez (1532–1601) and Maria van Berchem. He died without children in the Rockox House.
He was orphaned at an early age, only being ten years old when his father died. Rockox studied in Douai and Leuven, completing his law studies on 24 August 1584. He was a member of the civic militia and defended the city in service of Philips of Marnix, Lord of Saint-Aldegonde when Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, attacked Antwerp. Rockox studied the fortifications from Jean Errard,Bar-le-Duc and had the outer walls of Antwerp repaired and improved.
In 1590, he was knighted by the Archdukes Albert and Isabella. He was put on the list of honours when their Joyous Entry took place.
In 1603 Rockox bought the house named Gulden Rinck and developed it into his main residence, now known as the Rockox House. It housed an important collection of art and of curiosities, famous in his Rockox's own time. His collection included a Samson and Delilah painted for him by his friend Rubens. After 1608 the friendship between them was very close. Rockox commissioned several paintings from him, including The Incredulity of Saint Thomas. Other friends of Rockox include Abraham Ortelius, who taught him the art of numismatics. Other people of his inner circle included the young Anthony van Dyck, who painted several portraits for him.
...
Wikipedia