Arent van Bolten (Zwolle), Colf Players

Colf players, one of 425 drawings from the 1637 album; two gentlemen holding clubs, one wearing a ruff, a young boy carrying the overcoat of one of the players in right background. Arent van Bolten (c. 1573 - before 1633); also known as Arent van Zwolle

Arent van Bolten: Silversmith, sculptor and designer from Zwolle. Training unknown. A few bronzes and plaquettes survive with his monogram 'AVB', and a few prints after him published by Pierre Firens. But the bulk of his output is in the British Museum album Sloane 5217, which belongs to the group of albums assembled by a Dutch collector that is dated 1637; consisting mainly of grotesque figures and designs for silverwork. Probably in Rome between 1596 and 1602, married in Zwolle in 1603.

Drawing on paper. Pen and brown ink with grey-blue wash, over black chalk.149 x 176 milimetres. Inscription: 14

Bibliographic references

• Popham (D & F) 1932. Dutch and Flemish drawings of the XV and XVI centuries

The British Museum, London (SL,5217.320; miscellaneous number II,06.320)

Source: Do Smit