Although of emigre parents, he is one of the earliest English-born easel painters to whom a large body of work can be ascibed. His training was probably received in Holland, but his contribution to English painting before the arrival of Van Dyck was considerable. To the already-existing national preoccupation with meticulously depicted costume he added a greater sense of likeness, realism and volume. He was named King''s Painter in 1632, and continued to enjoy a considerable practice in this country -helping to establish the popularity of the 30 by 25 inch canvas and the feigned oval format- until his wife's fears of the impending civil war induced him to leave for the Continent.