Bartholomeus van der Helst was one of the foremost portraitists of his generation and gained more commissions than his better-known contemporary, Rembrandt. One of his early commissions was for a huge group scene, titled ’Civic Guard led by Captain Roelof Bicker and Lieutenant Jan Michielsz’, which was hung over the fireplace in the same room for which Rembrandt painted ‘The Night Watch’.

His flattering portraiture attracted wealthy patrons from Amsterdam and beyond and his elegant brushwork is often compared to Anthony van Dyck’s (1599-1641).

Like several other Dutch artists of his generation, van der Helst lived above his means - despite being continually popular. It’s noted that his large home was decorated with many paintings from other leading artists, such as Adriaen Brouwer (1605-1638) and Frans Floris (1519-1570). Following his death in 1670, his wife was forced to sell most of his collection.