SOEST, Gerard

Dutch painter, active in England. He is traditionally stated to have come from Soest in Westphalia but was almost certainly Dutch by birth and training. He probably came to England in the late 1640s, and his earliest works show some influence from William Dobson. His earliest dated work was painted in 1646. Although he had a respectable practice he never established himself in the most fashionable circles in London and was never employed at the court.

He is known for the unflattering truthfulness of his likenesses, which made him unpopular with female sitters. The dislike was mutual and he is said to have refused painting any women for seven years. He is most famous for his portraits of William Shakespeare and Samuel Butler, but painted many members of the English gentry. Shakespeare’s portrait was painted by Soest at least 30 years after Shakespeare’s death.