Helst, Bartholomeus van der

Helst, Bartholomeus van der bärˌtōlōmāˈəs vän dər hĕlst [key], 1613–70, Dutch portrait painter. In Amsterdam the wealthy citizens preferred his flattering, tasteful portraits to those of Rembrandt. He painted several group portraits for the city fathers; among the best are Banquet of the Civic Guard (1648) and Syndics of the Arquebusiers (both: Rijksmus.). He was one of the founders of the painters' Guild of St. Luke (1654). The Musician and two portraits are in the Metropolitan Museum.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: European Art, 1600 to the Present: Biographies