SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
Born around 1603 in Utrecht, where he died on 18 October 1669, Abraham Willaerts was a painter of the Northern Netherlands, known especially as a marine painter and for his depictions of the navy of the United Provinces. The son of the painter Adam Willaerts, he was first trained by his father, then became a pupil of Van Bijlert and Simon Vouet in Paris. In 1624, he became a master of the Utrecht Guild of Saint Luke.
From 1638 to 1644, he worked at the court of Count John Maurice of Nassau-Siegen, governor-general of Dutch Brazil. Around 1659–1660, he visited Naples and Rome. These stages document a career combining training, court service and stays in Italy.
Among the works recorded in public collections is A Shipowner and His Family, dated 1650 and held at the Musée des beaux-arts de Valenciennes. The Musée Baron-Martin in Gray holds Ships Being Caulked, an oil painting on wood measuring 24 × 38 cm.
This profile brings together identity references for Abraham Willaerts and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
2 references are documented at Dobiaschofsky, Lempertz. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Oil on wood
Rastendes Fischervolk am Flussufer
Öl auf Holz
Auction date : 2021-06-05
Published result : 6250 EUR
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : 5000
View the lot at the auction house ↗These references are shown separately because of their attribution or lot composition. Each record states the reason.
Oil on canvas
Umkreis - Circle
Öl auf Leinwand
Catalogue period : 2025-05-09
These references are shown separately because of their attribution or lot composition. Each record states the reason.
Published result : 1000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 1200
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
