View source for Bisschop, Jan (1680-1771) & Bisschop, Pieter (ca. 1690-1758)

Jan and Pieter Bisschop, born in [[Rotterdam (Zuid-Holland, Netherlands)|Rotterdam]], Jan in 1680, Pieter ca. 1690, sons of Esau Jansz Bisschop and Annetje Jans Cras. The father was a spinner of yarn; after his death in 1729 the sons Jan and Pieter carried on the business. Pieter died 1 June 1758. Under the management of the sons the business was greatly increased. They were also serious art collectors. Their collection later came into the possession of the art-lover Hope of [[Amsterdam (Noord-Holland, Netherlands)|Amsterdam]]. They were most interested in collecting books, shells, coins, and china. Their collection was so famous that Prince William of Orange and his wife visited it in 1768 and it attracted many foreigners. Both brothers were faithful members of the Mennonite church at Rotterdam and made generous gifts as long as they lived. Pieter had already bequeathed it a legacy; but at Jan's death on 5 March 1771, it was discovered that the congregation was the sole heir, inheriting 214,000 guilders. The congregation used this money at once to build the beautiful church that was dedicated in 1775, and was probably the most beautiful Mennonite church in the [[Netherlands|Netherlands]]. On 14 May 1940 it was completely burned in the bombing raid. The catalog of the collection at Jan's death, containing 223 items, is printed in <em>Oud-Holland.</em>
= Bibliography =
Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Mennonitisches Lexikon</em>, 4 vols. Frankfurt &amp; Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe; Schneider, 1913-1967: v. I, 225.

Molhuysen, P. C. and  P. J. Blok. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Nieuw Nederlandsch Biografisch Woordenboek,</em> 10 vols. Leiden, 1911-1937: v. II, 169.

<em class="gameo_bibliography">Oud-Holland: tijdschrift voor Nederlandse kunstgeschiedenis </em>28 (1910): 161.
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 1, p. 349|date=1953|a1_last=Vos|a1_first=Karel|a2_last= |a2_first= }}