Ruitergevecht

1633

Studies with Pieter de Molijn in Haarlem

In 1633 (other accounts say 1634) he goes to Haarlem to study under the landscape painter Pieter de Molijn and studies the art of Frans Hals; the training takes two years.

1635

Master of the Haarlem Guild of St Luke

Having completed his training, in 1635 he is made a master of the Haarlem Guild of St Luke, which gives him the right to sign his own works; his first surviving painting dates from the same year.

summer 1635

In London with his engraver uncle

In the summer of 1635 he goes to London to his uncle Robert van Voerst, a successful copper engraver, and meets the outstanding portraitist Anthony van Dyck.

1646

Travels to Münster for the peace negotiations

In 1646, at the invitation of the Dutch ambassador Adriaen Pauw, he travels to Münster, where peace between Holland and Spain is being negotiated, paints portraits of the diplomats and attracts the attention of the Spanish ambassador, Count Peñaranda, who takes him into his service.

1648

Turns to interior scenes

Whereas earlier he painted mainly scenes of peasant and military life, from 1648 he gives more attention to domestic interiors with few figures: gallant couples, ladies reading a letter or making music.

15 May 1648

Present at the ratification of the Peace of Münster

In the service of Count Peñaranda, he is present at the conclusion of the Peace of Münster between Holland and Spain on 15 May 1648 and records the event in his celebrated little picture, painted on copper, “The Ratification of the Treaty of Münster” (De bezwering van de vrede van Münster).