| Wybrand de Geest | |
|---|---|
Wybrand de Geest, self-portrait 1629 |
|
| Birth name | Wybrand de Geest |
| Born | 16 August 1592 Leeuwarden |
| Died | 1661 (aged 68–69) Leeuwarden |
| Field | Painting |
| Movement | Baroque |
Wybrand Simonsz. de Geest (Leeuwarden, 16 August 1592 – Leeuwarden, ca. 1661) was a Dutch Golden Age portrait painter from Friesland.
Wybrand de Geest 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 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).