Lucas de Heere

Who was Lucas de Heere?

Lucas de Heere was a Flemish portrait painter, poet and writer.

De Heere, a Protestant, was born in Ghent, and became a refugee from the Dutch Revolt against Philip II of Spain, who tried to suppress Protestantism. De Heere had to flee to England, but was able to return after the Pacification of Ghent in 1576. He died in Paris.

He was very popular during his career and became immensely rich. His portrait of Katheryn of Berain is held by the National Museum Cardiff. He painted a head of Philip II from the life in 1553, as a letter of Cardinal Granvelle documents; this is presumed to be the painting now in the Prado.

In England he trained other young Netherlanders: John de Critz, probably Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, and possibly as well the English Robert Peake the Elder.