The 1648 painting Banquet at the Crossbowmen’s Guild in Celebration of the Treaty of Münster established a reputation for Bartholomeus van der Helst that endured for centuries. Emerging from the Dutch Golden Age, he became the preferred portraitist for the wealthy merchant class and political elite of Amsterdam, consistently securing high-profile commissions throughout his career.
Early Career and Influences
Born in 1613 in Haarlem, Van der Helst moved to Amsterdam prior to 1636. His training likely involved apprenticeship with Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy. His 1637 work, Regents of the Walloon Orphanage, marks his earliest known dated painting. Early efforts, such as his 1638 portrait of a Protestant minister, incorporate techniques reminiscent of Rembrandt, though he soon pivoted toward a more refined and luminous aesthetic.
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Van der Helst successfully differentiated himself from contemporary Rembrandt through an elegant, flattering style comparable to Anthony van Dyck. His compositions were characterized by clear lighting, balanced arrangements, and high levels of plasticity. This approach resonated with Amsterdam’s military brass and regent class, allowing him to maintain steady production of individual, double, and large group portraits throughout his life.
Late Works and Financial Legacy
During his final years, he produced significant pendant portraits, including those of Vice-Admiral Aert van Nes and his wife Geertruida den Dubbelde in 1668. Despite commanding substantial fees, Van der Helst struggled financially and lived beyond his means. Following his death in 1670, his wife was forced to liquidate his extensive collection of artworks and professional equipment to settle remaining debts.
Fast facts
- Born: 1613, Haarlem
- Died: 1670, Amsterdam
- Movement: Dutch Golden Age painting
- Notable work: Portrait of Paulus Potter
- Notable work: Portrait of Gerard Andriesz Bicker
- Notable pupil: Lodewijk van der Helst
- Notable pupil: Marcus Waltes
Questions readers ask
How did his style compare to Rembrandt?
Van der Helst favored an elegant, flattering, and evenly lit style that appealed to affluent clients, contrasting with the more intense, introspective approach of Rembrandt.
What subjects did he paint besides individual portraits?
He primarily painted portraits but also completed a limited number of genre pictures, biblical scenes, mythological subjects, and allegorical works.
Achievements
- Notable work: Portrait of Paulus Potter
- Notable work: Portrait of Aert van Nes (1626-93), Vice admiral
- Notable work: Portrait of Geertruida den Dubbelde (1647-84), wife of Aert van Nes
- Notable work: Portrait of Gerard Andriesz Bicker, son of Andries Bicker and lord of Muiden
- Movement: Dutch Golden Age painting
