| Commentary | On Barcman (Burchman) Claesz. Dob (or Dobbens), see M.J. Bok, Art Lovers and Their Paintings in Dawn of the Golden Age, Exh. Cat., Amsterdam, p. 155. Dob was one of the patrons of the arts mentioned by Carel van Mander (1604 edition, fol. 268r). He was a descendant of a patrician family of the pre-alteratie period. His uncle Cornelis Woutersz. Dob had been burgomaster and schout before 1578. His aunt Katrijn Wouters Dob had donated an altar piece for the St. Jerome altar of the Oude Kerk. Barcman (Burchman) Dob, however, belonged to the Protestant branch of the family. He was the son of Claes Burchmansz. and of Lijsbet Bouwers (WK 5073/513, fol. 138). On 14 March 1587, Burchman Claesz. Dob, living on the O.Z. Achterburchwal, assisted by his mother [...] (Lijsbet?) Bouwers, living in the Warmoesstraet, was betrothed to Helena Bouwers, widow of Marten ten Borch (of R 27876 of Montias2). She was assisted by her mother Nelletge Hillebrants (DTB 404/246). The intended bride was apparently the niece of her husband's mother (Lijsbet Bouwers). Nelletge Hillebrants was the widow of the very wealthy merchant Arent Hendricksz. Bouwer in the Warmoesstraet (Elias, Vroedschap, p. 413). On 13 April 1610, Burchman Claesz. and Helena Bouwers passed their testament. He was sick in bed, in the house of his mother near the old St. Anthonispoort. The painter Willem van den Bundel (of R 27526 of Montias2) witnessed the deed (cited by M. J. Bok, Vraag en aanbod op de Nederlandse kunstmarkt, 1580-1970, 1994, p. 62). On 20 August 1610, the Orphan Chamber named Mr. Melchior Bouwer (of R 27856) and Hendrick Claesz. Meebael as guardians over the goods left by Lysbeth Bouwers, widow of Claes Burchmansz. (WK 5073/513, fol. 127vo.) On Lysbeth Bouwers, see R 594 of Montias1. Syvert Pietersz. Sem (of R 27934), who was married to Maria Bouwers, the sister of Dob's wife Helena, was his brother-in-law. |
