In 1628, Willem van Haecht became the curator of the art collection owned by Cornelis van der Geest, aspicemerchant from Antwerp, who used his wealth to support the Antwerp artists and to grow his art collection.
Cornelis van der Geest (1575  10 March 1638) was a spice merchant from Antwerp, who used his wealth to support the Antwerp artists and to establish his art collection. 
