Govaert Flinck first studied in the Netherlands under painter and art dealer, Lambert Lastman. He also met Jacob Backer through his master, who was very influential in Flinck’s early style. He moved to Amsterdam in 1633 and studied with Rembrandt ban Rijn. During this time, his paintings were so similar to his master’s that some have been wrongly credited to Rembrandt. Under the influence of Anthony van Dyck and other Flemish artists, Flinck began painting more elegant and colorful portraits. He became a very popular artist in Amsterdam after painting an allegorical piece for Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg. Flinck also received a commission to work on the royal residence, Huis ten Bosch and the new town hall. In 1659, he was summoned to create twelve paintings for the city’s civic hall, but died before he could even start them.
(http://wwar.com/masters/f/flinck-govaert.html)
