Wybrand Simonsz de Geest (1592-1661)
| Artist Name | Wybrand Simonsz de Geest (1592-1661) |
|---|---|
| Title | Portrait of William Stonestreet |
| Description | This superb Dutch Golden Age portrait is attributed to circle of Dutch artist Wybrand Simonsz de Geest. Painted in 1666 it is a full length portrait of a young William Stonestreet. He is holding the paw of a clipped little white dog with drapes and clouds beyond. (It was common practise to dress young boys in dresses up to the age of about 6 or 7 when they were 'britched' or wore britches). An excellent example of Dutch Golden Age art that wouldn't look out of place in a museum. Wm Stonehouse 1666, Prebend of Selsely is inscribed top left. |
| Provenance | Berkshire estate. |
| Medium | Oil on Canvas |
| Size | 36 x 44 inches |
| Frame | Housed in an ornate gilt frame, 52 inches by 44 inches and in good condition. |
| Condition | Good condition. |
| Biography | Wybrand Simonsz. de Geest (16 August 1592 – c. 1661) was a Dutch Golden Age portrait painter from Friesland in the Netherlands. Wybrand de Geest was born and died at Leeuwarden. He learned painting from his father, Simon Juckesz, a stained glass worker. He studied later with Abraham Bloemaert. From 1614 to 1618 he travelled in France and Italy on a Grand Tour. In 1616 he met up with Leonard Bramer in Aix-en-Provence. While in Rome he became a member of the painters' circle known as the Bentvueghels. He earned the nickname 'De Friesche Adelaar', or "the Frisian Eagle". De Geest married Hendrickje Fransdr Uylenburgh in 1622, a niece of Saskia van Uylenburgh, the wife of Rembrandt. In 1634, just before his own marriage, Rembrandt visited De Geest's studio. In 1636 the Frenchman Charles Ogier, secretary to Cardinal Richelieu visited De Geest, to view his large collection of curiosities and coins. De Geest was the most important portrait painter of Friesland and painted numerous portraits of the well-to-do citizens of his day, many of which survive in the Fries Museum. Perhaps the most intimate portraits he painted were those of his direct family. De Geest influenced Jacob Adriaensz Backer, and his students were Jan Jansz. de Stomme, and Jacob Potma. His sons Julius and Frank also became painters. His grandson Wybrand wrote plays, a travel guide to Rome, and published "Het Kabinet der Statuen" (1702). |
| Price | £24000 |
