The Dutch Violin
In October 2026, Hubert de Launay will visit the famous CHIMEI Museum in Tainan, Taiwan. There, he will examine a remarkable collection of Dutch string instruments for our project.
30 September 2026
Restoration of world-class heritage:
About us
The Hendrik Jacobs Foundation aims to restore the recognition that early Dutch violin makers and their instruments deserve. Their work constitutes a remarkable part of our cultural heritage, with significance extending far beyond the Netherlands.
From the mid-seventeenth century onwards, Dutch violin makers crafted instruments of exceptional quality. Yet, their names and work remain largely unknown to the general public. Through international research into instruments held in collections worldwide, we are bringing these makers, their craftsmanship, and their history back into the spotlight.
The findings are being published in The Dutch Violin, an English-language book aimed at violin makers, researchers, and musicians across the globe. We also aim to make this story accessible to a broad audience, thereby securing a visible place for Dutch violin making within our cultural history and inspiring new generations of violin makers.
Support us
In the coming years, we will continue our international research into Dutch violin making and expand our collaboration with the Rijksmuseum and the Rembrandt House Museum. Together with Walburg Pers and Amsterdam University Press, we are working towards the publication of The Dutch Violin in autumn 2029. To mark the book’s launch, we hope to organise a symposium and a series of concerts.
We need additional financial support to make this possible. Would you like to contribute to the research, the book and these public events? Please leave your details, and we will be in touch. Thank you for your interest and support.
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The origins of the Foundation
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.
Hendrik Jacobs (c.1629-1704)
The Foundation is named after the Amsterdam violin maker Hendrik Jacobs; without a doubt the greatest of all builders in the history of Dutch violin making.
HJF in the media
Various media have paid attention to the Hendrik Jacobs Foundation and the research.
Research team
Research leader::
Hubert de Launay (violin making expert)
Dendrochronology::
Roberto Furnari
Archive research Haagsche School:
Wim de Bell (historicus)
Archive research Amsterdam School::
Maarten Hell (historicus)
Project coordinator
Inge Jongerman:
contact:
Board
Chairman: Vera Poelmann Wolfs
Secretary & Treasurer: Rob van Schaik
Board member: Frits Schutte (Hoofd Collectie Muziekinstrumenten Fund)
Remuneration policy
In accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the articles of association, the board members receive no remuneration other than compensation for expenses incurred for work performed in that capacity.
Advisory Board
John Dilworth (violin making expert)
Kees Koelmans (Head of strings CvA)
Andreas Post (violin making expert)
Serge Stam (violin making expert)
Prof. dr. Giovanni Paolo Di Stefano (Curator Rijksmuseum)
Prof. dr. Maarten Prak ((former Professor at Utrecht University))
Dr. Mr. Antoon Ott (artilaw.nl)
Peter Ratcliff (violin-dendrochronology.com)
General information
Name: : Hendrik Jacobs Foundation
Triodos account: NL25 TRIO 0320 1939 69
Chamber of Commerce number : 80112935
Tax Number / RSIN number : 861558649
Business address : Concordiastraat 68 (nr.230), 3551 EM Utrecht
Phone number: : 06-38252393
Website : www.hendrikjacobs.nl
Email : :
Project plan
Our project plan is available as a PDF.
ANBI
The Hendrik Jacobs Foundation is recognized by the Tax Authorities as a public benefit institution.
The research project was made possible by:
Gieskes-Strijbis Fonds
Cultuurfonds *
Fonds 1999
Stichting Dioraphte
Hendrik Muller Fonds
Stam Vioolbouw
Andreas Post Vioolbouw
Fentener van Vlissingen Fonds
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Gravin van Bylandt Stichting
Tarisio
Ingles and Hayday
Kattendijke/Drucker Stichting
* the Bosker-Dillingh Fund, the Van Enter-Westerman Holstijn Fund and the Welcker Fund contributed to this award.
Contact
Leave a message via the contact form
Photos: Cathy Levesque for the National Musical Instrument Fund | violin: Hendrik Jacobs 1699 | Website: 9meter
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