His birthplace is unknown. A signed document survives in Utrecht where he is listed as six years old and the son of Simon van Poelenburch, a Catholic canon in Utrecht. He initially trained with Abraham Bloemaert, and his earliest signed paintings are from 1620.
His birthplace is unknown. A document found in Utrecht mentions he was six years old and the son of Simon van Poelenburch, a Catholic canon in Utrecht. He began training with Abraham Bloemaert and his earliest signed paintings date to 1620.