Work: ca. 110 x 107 cm Frame: 119,5 x 116 cmDe Baenst was a medieval noble family from the county of Flanders.Originally it concerns a family that bore the name Van Cadsant. From the beginning of the thirteenth century they were called De Baenst. The family members became specialists in diking polders and became quite wealthy as a result. The proceeds made them purchasers of feudal lords, which increased their prestige and influence in society. Their original home, which became their base of operations, was Cadzand and Sluis. From there the family expanded over the entire Brugse Vrije and also gained a foothold in Bruges and was included in the intimate circle of counselors of the Duke of Burgundy. In the fifteenth century, several members of the family reached career heights. Although several of them took on municipal responsibilities, their preference was usually for activities in the service of the monarch, the Duke of Burgundy. Ref.:  - For more information about the De Baenst family, see for example: P.A.V.P. Donche, Geschiedenis en genealogie van de familie De Baenst: vorstelijke en stedelijke ambtenaren van Vlaanderen, 1305-1676, Antwerpen, 2014.