Early Life, Family and Training Arent de Gelder enters the scene in Dordrecht, born on October 26, 1645, into a family of rising status. His father, Jan Aertsz de Gelder, was born in 1609 and worked as a cooper of wine barrels. By the time Arent reaches maturity, the family has moved from the Wijnstraat to a different house on the same street, reflecting the prosperity of his father, who eventually held high positions within the local militia and the Coopers’ Guild. His mother, Maria Lotterich, provided the other half of this established Dordrecht household. The training begins locally. Are…