Gerard van Opstal

[3] When his father-in-law died, he was contracted by the local city magistrates to complete the sculpture of Christ for the Calvary group on the Falconplein (Falcon square) in Antwerp.

[3] Van Opstal was awarded the title 'sculpteur des batiments du roi' (Sculptor of the king's buildings) in 1651.

[4] Despite these distinctions, the artist complained that since Charles le Brun was against him he was unable to obtain any royal commissions.

[5] He is particularly important for having brought a legal case in 1667 against the widow of a patron, Duchemin, intendant to Mademoiselle d'Orléans, for nonpayment of a commission dating from 1658.

Gerard Van Opstal created three sculptures personifying France, Spain and Hymen, to be placed in niches.