Dirck van Santvoort

Dirck Dircksz Santvoort (* 1610 in Amsterdam, † 1680 ) was a Dutch painter.

Dirck Santvoort was a son of the painter Dirck Pietersz Bontepaert and Truytgen Pietersdr. ; mother he was a great-grandson of Pieter Aertsen. His older brother was the landscape painter Pieter Dircksz Santvoort ( 1603-1635 ). Dirck probably received his first training from his father, from whom no works have survived. For the thesis that he had also studied at Rembrandt, there is no evidence, though he was undeniably influenced by the older artist.

From about 1635 Santvoort showed as an independent portraitist in his typical sober style. At this time he was also the main Amsterdam painter of children's portraits. Although he was nearly seventy years old, he seems to have painted only over a period of about ten years, since no painting after 1645 by him are known.

He was buried on 9 March 1680 in Amsterdam.