Dirck Verhaert

Little is known of the early life and training of Verhaert, the first record being in 1631 when he was admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke in the Hague. He was to relocate to Haarlem in 1637 before settling in Leiden in 1664. Although well versed in the Dutch Italianate style, he was never recorded as travelling to Italy, most likely using secondary sources to provide the inspiration for his views of classical monuments, such as the view of the Colosseum which was sold London, Sotheby’s, 8 July 2004, lot 178, as well as his architectural fantasies such as the present work.