Little is known about him. He was the son of Cornelis Pietersz van Soest,^[1] and in 1642 he became Poorter of Amsterdam where he was recorded until 1667.^[2] In April 1643, as a painter living on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, he married Marritie Dircx (born ca. 1620 in Goch).^[1] Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraaten was one of his pupils.^[1]

Among his subjects are the Battle of the Downs and the Second Anglo-Dutch War, particularly the Raid on the Medway. Van Soest also depicted the ships Comet Star and Eendracht. His paintings usually have a panoramic view of the battles. Van Soest rendered ships with delicate brushstrokes, while a light impasto is a feature of his skies.^[3]