In September 2025, the Fries Museum will present an exhibition on the Frisian artist Wybrand de Geest (1592–1663/65), one of the most important portrait painters of the 17th century. Shimmering velvet, rustling brocade, refined lace collars and sparkling jewellery — no one captured wealth and status on canvas quite like he did. It is no surprise that the Frisian elite eagerly commissioned portraits from Wybrand de Geest.
The exhibition showcases the high society and glamour of the 17th century through portraits painted by De Geest of the Frisian Nassaus, the wealthy elite and their fabulously rich children. Who was this painter, and how did he manage to secure a place among the ‘happy few’?
Wybrand de Geest
Wybrand Simonsz. de Geest was born in Leeuwarden in 1592 and belonged to the first generation of Frisian artists who left their hometown to train elsewhere. For Wybrand, this meant Utrecht, where he studied in the large and vibrant studio of Abraham Bloemaert. From there, the young painter travelled via ’s-Hertogenbosch to Paris, Aix-en-Provence and finally by ship to Rome. Together with fellow artists, he took ample time to refine his skills and enjoy life. At the time, any artist with ambition was expected to see the ancient world with their own eyes.
Album amicorum
During his travels abroad, Wybrand compiled a unique album amicorum — a friendship album filled with contributions from friends and fellow travellers. Missing edges of paper reveal that around 22 drawings were later removed. These were likely works by, among others, Wybrand’s brother Gilles de Geest and painters such as Wouter Crabeth II, Pieter de Molijn, Leonaert Bramer, Cornelis van Poelenburgh, Louis Beaubrun and Mathijs Harings. The drawings were probably taken because of their monetary value. Previously, the Fries Museum and Tresoar issued a public appeal to help locate the missing drawings, in the hope of including them in the exhibition. Anyone with information is invited to contact curator Marlies Stoter via m.stoter@friesmuseum.nl
A thriving painting practice
After his travels, Wybrand returned permanently to his birthplace of Leeuwarden around 1620. There, he built a flourishing portrait practice, supported by commissions from the Frisian nobility, who continued to seek him out throughout his life. Three successive Frisian Nassaus also entrusted him with their portrait commissions. Among his works are the life-size portraits of Stadtholder Ernst Casimir of Nassau-Dietz and his wife Sophia Hedwig, Frisian ancestors of King Willem-Alexander.
