 According to Van Mander in 1604, he learned to draw from Jacob Willemsz Delff, but was meant for another profession, and spent time on other business for a few years before returning to the arts under the tutelage of Huybrecht Jacobsz Grimani for 6 months.He accompanied him to Italy, where he remained for 15 years, working for local and visiting nobility all over Italy.At the time van Mander was writing, in 1602-1604, he was living in Haarlem (aged 36) and discussed Italian painters with him.