Pieter Claesz. Soutman

circa 1580–1657, Amsterdam

The eventful biography of the painter, etcher and print publisher, Pieter Claesz. Soutman, was greatly influenced by his close personal relationship with Peter Paul Rubens. Between about 1620 and 1624 Soutman was active as Rubens’ pupil and assistant in Antwerp, where he produced a modest body of prints after designs by the master. In 1624 he entered service in Poland and probably worked as court painter there. After returning to Haarlem around 1629 Soutman was in all likelihood apprenticed to Jacob Matham. In 1633 he was appointed commissioner of the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke and subsequently distinguished himself primarily as a portrait painter.