His son Gerard was born in Leyden in 1613.

The father was so far interested in the boy's gifts that he apprenticed him to an engraver when he was nine.

At the age of eleven he passed to the studio of a painter on glass, and on St.Valentine's day, 1628, he became a pupil of Rembrandt.

From Rembrandt, however, he seems to have learned only the charm of contrasts of light and shade.

None of the great rugged strength of the master is to be seen in his minute and patient work, in which the genius of taking pains is always apparent.