Esther and Mordecai

1636–1680 · Virkested

Amsterdam

1652

Becomes a burgher of Amsterdam

Bol becomes a burgher of Amsterdam, the city where he would remain for the rest of his life.

1653

Marries Elisabeth Dell

The bride's father held posts in the Admiralty of Amsterdam and in the wine merchants' guild, both of which later commissioned works from the artist.

c. 1655

Commissions for the town hall and the Admiralty

Bol receives orders for two chimney pieces for rooms in the new town hall, designed by Jacob van Campen (now the Royal Palace on Dam Square), and four more for the Admiralty of Amsterdam.

mid-1650s

More official commissions than any other artist in Amsterdam

By the middle of the decade Bol's palette has lightened and his figures have grown more elegant, and he receives more official commissions than any other artist in Amsterdam. He delivers four paintings for the two mansions of the Trip brothers, who, like him, came from Dordrecht.

1655

Becomes head of the Guild of St. Luke

Bol becomes head of the Guild of St. Luke; in these years he takes commissions from the Admiralty and the new town hall of Amsterdam.