Barend Graat was baptized in the
Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam). According to Houbraken, who only saw his etchings, Graat learned to paint from his uncle Hans. Though he never traveled to Italy, he became proficient in making small Italianate landscapes and
genre pieces in the manner of
Pieter van Laer. He signed his works
B. Graat fecit. In 1660 he married a young widow and decided not to travel to Italy, although he had made preparations. In 1664 he bought a plot and had a house build on
Leidsegracht In 1668 and 1670 two daughters were baptized in a
hidden Catholic church. In 1672 he was one of the painters evaluating a collection of paintings sold by
Gerrit Uylenburgh to pronounce their authenticity. For fifteen years, the painter led an art academy at his house. Graat lived to the great age of 81 and was active as a decorative painter, creating
Grisailles and
overmantel pieces for the regent families of Amsterdam, many of which survive today. ==Gallery==