A Glimpse of Gouda's Past The life of Joris Herst remains largely a quiet one, preserved mostly through a single window into the past. Born in the Dutch Republic around 1770, he lived during a period of transition for the region. While much of his personal history has faded, his presence is felt through the specific, localized scenes he chose to capture on canvas. He was a painter who focused his gaze on the immediate surroundings of h…