Gerard Soest
G. Soest ( * 1600, † February 11, 1681 ), also known as Gerard Soest, Gerald Soest, Geraerd Soest, Soest Gilbert was an English painter of the 17th century. Soest is known for his portraits of William Shakespeare and Samuel Butler ( poet ).
Artistic creation
Numerous pictures of the British nobility back to Soest. A total of 130 works were cataloged in the 1970s. Soest, however, never received commissions from the royal court. Soest Portrait of Shakespeare was made 30 years after Shakespeare's death. It has been suggested that the person portrayed Shakespeare was similar, while pose and clothing show the influence of visual presentation of the Chandos portrait.
Biographical uncertainties
Not sure of its name, because the direct detection in his pictures is only the signature " Soest pinxit " ( von Soest painted ). Also uncertain is its origin: Soest is given both as a painter of Dutch and Westphalian origin, with more written evidence of an origin from the Soest or its direct surroundings speak, however, the artistic work stands close to the facts in the period Dutch tradition and thus to Soest could refer in the Netherlands.