Explore: Frans Jansz Post

(1612 - 1680)

Frans Jansz Post was born in Haarlem; the son of Jan Post, a glass-stainer of some celebrity, who died while he was still young. In 1636 John Maurice of Nassau, who was appointed Governor General of Brazil, took Post with him as one of a group of painters, cartographers and navigators to the West Indies and South America. Post stayed there until the Count returned to Holland in 1644, when he settled in Haarlem. During his eight years in Brazil, Post made numerous drawings of the most interesting views. On his return to Holland he painted several large pictures from these sketches, including those for the palace of Ryksdorp, near Wassenaer. Post died in Haarlem, where he was buried on 16 February 1680.