Biography

Born in 1878 in Tilburg, where his father was a furniture-maker and scupltor. Gained his first experience in the art of violin-making in the factory of Kessels in his place of birth. Moved to Markneukirchen to work for Richard Rosbach. In 1907 he left for Antwerp (Bel.) At the beginning of WOI he returned to The Netherlands. From 1915 to 1920 he worked in 's-Hertogenbosch and made over 90 instruments. At first he made imitations of Stradivarius, Gobetti and Santo Seraphin, but after he saw a Lorenzo Storioni, he gave preference to copying this master. In 1920 he returned to Antwerp.

From: De Hollandsche Vioolmakers, by Dirk J. Balfoort, Amsterdam (1931)