The Life and Origins of Abraham Staphorst Abraham Staphorst enters the historical record in Edam, born about 1638. His lineage is tied to the religious life of Dordrecht, as he was the son of Johannes Staphortius. Johannes was a well known preacher in that city, a man whose presence in the community was established through his pulpit. This connection to the clerical circles of Dordrecht would remain a constant thread in the artist's b…