The Dutch violin maker Hubert de Launay, while studying at West Dean College in England, examined the extensive collection of early Dutch string instruments in the Kunstmuseum The Hague as part of his training. In consultation with this museum, he was given the opportunity to continue and deepen his research in 2016, partly thanks to a gift from the Gansoord Foundation and the Prince Bernard Cultural Fund (via named fund, Charles Burney Fund).

This research consisted, among other things, of re-studying well-known Dutch instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries, but also classifying, tracing and examining previously unheard instruments. analyzed instruments. This one-man crusade through Dutch string instrument history has paid off and led to startling new insights. For example, new information has been found about every relevant Dutch historical violin maker. Many of these insights have been derived from the systematic analysis and documentation of many, sometimes internationally traced instruments.

To date, three publications have been published about Dutch builders in the 17th and 18th centuries, namely: in 1931 (Dirk Balfoort), 1955 (Max Möller) and in 1999 (NGV). Unfortunately, apart from a series of discovered archive documents, little new information has been added about these instruments and their makers since 1931.  Despite the progress that has been made, there is still a wealth of information about these instruments waiting to be discovered and studied. The Hendrik Jacobs Foundation was therefore established to further research into the history of Dutch string instruments and their builders. to facilitate, scale up and thus accelerate the 17th and 18th centuries.