Born in Oostakker, a village near Gent, Joseph Paelinck first studied at the Gent Drawing Academy. In 1802 he won the academy prize, enabling him to leave for Paris. There he enrolled in David's (q.v.) workshop, where he studied until 1806 before returning to Belgium. In 1808, he left for Rome and stayed there through 1812. During this period he regularly sent his paintings to exhibitions in Gen