Biography and current catalogue for

Freddy Theys (b. 1937) 

Freddy Theys, the noted Belgian engraver of town scenes, portraits and botanical subjects, was born at Hoboken, on the Scheldt near Antwerp on 13th April 1937. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp for 8 years from 1952-61, specialising in life drawing and in engraving under J. Gorus. Since 1971 he has been awarded a number of international prizes for his printwork and has had numerous successful one man shows. He is a member of the Royal Association of Professional Artists of Belgium and of the Belgian Hispanic Association and is a Companion of Merit of the European Artistic Organisation. He has been visiting England and Scotland, including Edinburgh, Orkney, Shetland and the Hebrides, annually since 1990, making sketches for his meticulous drypoint etchings. His studio is at Edegem, on the outskirts of Antwerp. The National Portrait Gallery in London holds a portrait etching by him of the poet and novelist George Mackay Brown (1921-1996) "The Bard of Orkney". His work is also in The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, The City of Antwerp Portrait Gallery and Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.