Abraham Willaerts was a DutchBaroque painter, mostly of marine and harbor scenes. He also painted a number of single and family portraits.
Life
Abraham Willaerts was born in Utrecht, the son of the painter Adam Willaerts. He trained with his father, a marine painter. He later studied with the Utrecht CaravaggistJan van Bijlert in Utrecht. He became a member of the Utrecht Guild of Saint Luke in 1624. He travelled to Paris in 1628 where he worked in the workshop of the prominent religious and history painterSimon Vouet. He returned to his home country in 1635. On 1637 or 1638 Willaerts sailed to Brazil serving in the of Count John Maurice of Nassau-Siegen, the governor of the Dutch possessions in Brazil. In 1641 the Count sent him with the Dutch fleet from Brazil to Angola on a mission to observe the customs and manners of the indigenous people. He had returned to the Netherlands in 1644, where he stayed with the prominent architect and painter Jacob van Campen at his castle Randenbroeck near Amersfoort. In 1659-60 he visited Rome. Here he joined the Bentvueghels, an association of mainly Dutch and Flemish artists working in Rome. It was customary for the Bentvueghels to adopt an appealing nickname, the so-called 'bent name'. Abraham Willaerts was reportedly given the bent name 'Indian'. This nickname was likely given him because of his travels among the Brazilian tribes. He probably travelled further south to Naples, where he may have found inspiration for his imaginary views of Mediterranean ports. He died in Utrecht. His brother Isaac was also a marine painter.
Work
Although mainly a marine painter, Willaerts also painted portraits. His marine paintings closely follow those of his father as is seen in his :File:Abraham Willaerts - Ships near a rocky shore.jpg|Ships near a rocky shore. He preferred compositions with an atmospheric softness. In addition to Dutch harbour and coastal scenes, he also painted Mediterranean harbour views, such as the Harbour of Naples. Despite Willaerts' six-year stay in Brazil and in Angola his compositions never treated specifically Brazilian or African subjects. Willaerts painted a series of portraits, both of single figures and family groups. He also added portraits in the foreground of some of his father's harbour scenes. Willaerts also collaborated with the still life painter Willem Ormea on a :File:Willem Ormea & Abraham Willaerts - Vis Stilleven met stormachtige zeeën.jpg|Fish still life with stormy sea which combines a seascape with a still life of fish in the foreground.
