The Life and Artistic Path of François Duchatel François Duchatel was a Flemish painter who worked in Brussels and possibly also in Paris. Born in Brussels, he likely began his life in the Southern Netherlands. Before choosing a career in art, he reportedly served in the cavalry, a profession he left at the age of 27 after witnessing the death of a close friend during a battle. His artistic training is a subject of historical discussion; while some believe he was a pupil of David Teniers the Younger due to similarities in his village feast paintings, there is no documentary evidence to co…