VITRINGA, Wigerus

Dutch artist. He was the son of a prominent lawyer who could financially permit himself a career in the arts. He was a doctor of law as well as a painter and a poet. He was the pupil of Richard Brakenburg and possibly also the pupil of Ludolf Bakhuyzen, whose style he followed.

In the 1680s, he moved to Alkmaar where he became a member of the GuildGLOSSARYAn association of the masters of a particular craft, trade or profession (painters, goldsmiths, surgeons, and so on) set up to protect its members' rights and interests. Such guilds existed in virtually every European city in the 16th century. The guild also monitored standards of work, acted as a court for those who brought their trade into disrepute, and provided assistance to members in need. of St. Luke in 1696. He mainly derived his living as a marine painter. His eyesight slowly deteriorated and in 1708 he returned to Friesland where he became a teacher.