The baroque painter Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) is regarded one of the main representatives of the Rembrandt School.
Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) was born son of a rich merchant at Kleve in 1615. Following his father´s wish, Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) initially served an apprenticeship with a silk merchant in Kleve. In secret, however, he took lessons with a local glass painter during his apprenticeship.
Eventually Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) had his will and began a second apprenticeship with Lambert Jacobsz. in Leeuwarden. In terms of painting, the preacher stood in the tradition of Pieter Lastman.
In his teacher´s studio Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) met Jacob Adriaensz. Backer, who had strong influence on Govaert Flinck´s (Govert Flink´s) early period of creation.
In 1632 Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) and his new friend relocated in Amsterdam, where they were active in Rembrandt´s studio for a year. Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) proved to be an extremely talented student, and some of his works from the 1630s resemble his master´s style so much that they – for the benefit of Rembrandt and the art dealer Hendrik van Uylenburgh – were sold under Rembrandt´s name. Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) began signing his own works only as of 1636. Rembrandt´s style lost in importance in the 1640s and 1650s. The audience was
more interested in brighter pictures in an elegant Flemish or Italian manner. Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) showed great adaptability to these new requirements, predominantly making portraits in a more refined style, but also made allegories and genre scenes for high-ranked commissioners.
Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) soon became an acknowledged and popular painter in Amsterdam, accumulating quite a fortune. In 1660 Govaert Flinck (Govert Flink) died as a rich man in Amsterdam.