Wybrand de Geest

Training under Abraham Bloemaert is recorded. The recorded working language is Dutch. The field of work recorded is painting. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are portrait. Places of work recorded in the authority are Rome. Residence is recorded at Leeuwarden and Utrecht. Positions recorded include court painter. Works named in the authority record are Portrait of Adolf (1540-68), Count of Nassau, Portrait of Hendrik (1550-74), Count of Nassau, Portrait of Willem Frederik (1613-64), Count of Nassau-Dietz and Self-portrait. Work by Wybrand de Geest is recorded in the collections of Fries Museum, Rijksmuseum, Frans Hals Museum, Statens Museum for Kunst and Prinsenhof.

• Name — Wybrand de Geest • Birth Name — Wybrand de Geest • Born — 16 August 1592 • Birthplace — Leeuwarden • Died — c. 1661 • Place of death — Leeuwarden • Field — Painting • Movement — Baroque

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: • Illustration — Adam Pynacker, his son-in-law • Illustration — Eva de Geest, his daughter 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).

Other recorded relations include Wybrand de Geest II.

Wybrand de Geest worked in painting. His work is associated with Baroque. Recorded position is court painter. He belonged to Bentvueghels. He worked at Rome, Leeuwarden and Utrecht.

Wybrand de Geest is recorded as a citizen of Dutch Republic. Classed in the genre portrait painting. Recorded with the occupation designer.