Willem Steelink (Amsterdam 1856-1928 Voorburg) is considered one of the 'followers' of the Hague School painter Anton Mauve and founder of the Larense School. He learned painting and engraving from his father Willem Steelink Sr. who painted in a Romantic style. Between 1873 and 1879 he studied at the academies of Amsterdam and Antwerp. During that time he made figure paintings, portraits, genre scenes and historical scenes, the romantic tradition. From 1877 Junior discovered the Gooise heath and how light plays with the heath and surroundings. He makes annual trips with Hein Kever to capture the landscapes with sheep en plein air. The paintings stood out because of their depiction of peaceful, pure nature and beautiful light. People clearly recognized the influence that Anton Mauve had on him. He later settled in Hilversum, Scherpenzeel and Laren. He worked there with Francois ter Meulen, Jan van Essen and Herman van der Weele, who are also considered part of the Larense School. From 't Gooi, Willem set out and captured many villages in the area, from Nunspeet to the Veluwe and from Lochem to Amsterdam. Also traveled to Germany, Belgium and Italy. After the many landscapes with sheep, he also made beautiful genre paintings such as After Lunch, which now hangs in the Singer. 'L'art for l'art' as one reviewer said.

Steelink also became known for his graphic work and etchings. He made copies, for example after work by Jozef Israëls and Johannes Bosboom, and later mainly book illustrations, especially for historical works and children's books. He was a member of 'Arti et Amicitiae' in Amsterdam and the Pulchri Studio in The Hague. His work can be seen in the Kunstmuseum, Boijmans and Museum Nunspeet, among others.