Brief Biography-Joachim von Sandrart was a renowned painter, engraver and, most importantly, an art historian. He was a disciple of Gerard van Honthorst, , a painter of the Dutch Golden Age. Honthorst was impressed by Sandrart; he took him to London to assist him with commissions for the King of England. When Honthorst returned to Utrecht, Sandrart remained in the King’s service. With his access to the Royal collection, he studied great masters such as Titian, Correggio, Veronese and Van Dyck.
When he left England, he went to Italy, where he extended his education by visiting Venice, Naples, and Rome. Cardinal Barberini commissioned him to do portraits for Pope Urban VIII and works for the King of Spain in Rome. From here, his career took off. He travelled most of Europe, gaining commissions wherever he went.
While his paintings are masterly, he is renowned for writing the treatise German Academy of the Noble Arts of Architecture, Sculpture and Painting or Lives of the Most Famous Painters.