Jan van de Velde I was born in 1569 in Antwerp, the son of a nail-smith. He was a famous calligrapher. Around 1592, the year of his marriage to Mayke van Bracht of the famous book printer family, Van de Velde was appointed writing master at Rotterdam's Latin School. At the same time, he ran a school at his own home training youngsters for a commercial career. Taking leave of his school, Van de Velde moved to Haarlem in 1620. There again he taught at the local Latin School. Van de Velde's eldest son, Jan van de Velde II became a leading engraver, draughtsman and painter in the seventeenth century. Jan van de Velde III (Jan Jansz. van de Velde), the son of Jan van de Velde II, was a still-life painter. //