Brief Biography-Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde was a native of Haarlem. His works were predominantly of churches, convents, and noblemen’s houses in his hometown of Haarlem. The paintings of Pieter Jansz Saenredam had an impression on him. He spent his life in Haarlem except for occasional trips up the Rhine with his older brother Job, a successful artist and Gerrit’s mentor. The Rev Mathew Pilkington’s account of Job’s visit was thus-
He had a great ambition to visit the court of the Elector Palatine, having heard large accounts of the munificence of that prince to many of his profession, and, at last, in company with his brother Gerrit, he travelled thither. Accordingly, when he had spent some time about the palace and found it challenging to procure a proper introduction, he fixed upon a scheme which very, fortunately, and thoroughly answered his purpose. He had often observed the Elector going out to the chase and took notice of all the nobility in his train. In that incident, Berkheyden made his subject. Then, in conjunction with his brother, he finished two pictures, in which they painted the portraits of the Elector, and his principal attendants, exceedingly like and prevailed with an officer of the household to place them in a gallery, through which his Highness always passed at his return. The prince had no sooner observed them when he expressed the most incredible surprise and satisfaction at the performance, and having impatiently, inquired after the artists and ordered them to be brought to court, he received them honourably, paid them in a princely manner, for their works, and made them considerable presents; among which were two medals of gold.
Both returned to Haarlem shortly afterwards, and the Haarlem Guild of Saint Luke made Gerrit a member. But also, according to Pilkington, Gerrit was unfortunately drowned in a canal as he returned home alone after spending the evening in great festivity with a cheerful set of friends.