Photograph of a full length portrait of Petrus van Schendel standing facing front. He has a full beard and moustache, and holds a top hat in his left hand.

van Schendel was a Dutch Romantic painter, etcher and draughtsman. He was born near Breda, and studied at the Academy at Antwerp under Mathieu-Ignace van Breen. He became famous for his evocative night market scenes. The scenes are shown illuminated by candle, lamp or torch lamp, to create dramatic effects with shadow. There is a painting by him in the Royal Collection, called Market Scene by Night (RCIN 407532).