He was the brother of Pieter Steenwijck, also a still-life painter. His father was Evert Hamenz who was an eyeglass maker. In 1628 he moved to Leiden to live and study with his uncle.
He was a brother to Pieter Steenwijck, another still-life painter; His father, Evert Hamenz, crafted eyeglasses. In 1628, he moved to Leiden to live with and study under his uncle.