The Dutch Hand in London Born in the bustling streets of Haarlem, Netherlands, Jan van der Vaart began his life's work under the watchful eye of Thomas Wijck. This early training laid the foundation for a career that would eventually find its true home across the sea. By 1674, he had established himself in London, moving within the circles of Dutch immigrants who shaped the English art scene. He spent much of his time in the workshop of Willem Wissing, a man who had once been a pupil of the great Sir Peter Lely. In those shared spaces, Van der Vaart learned the delicate art of painting draper…