Cort onderwys van de Vyf Colommen established Simon Bosboom as a primary conduit for the architectural theories of Vincenzo Scamozzi in the Dutch Republic. Published as a manual for builders, this instructional booklet detailed the five classical orders—Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite—securing his influence as both a practitioner and a theoretical writer in the seventeenth century.
Professional Trajectory
Born in Emden in 1614, Bosboom operated within the Dutch Republic and held citizenship in the Holy Roman Empire. His early career included professional engagements in Great Britain and Germany before he secured a commission in 1640 for an almshouse project commissioned by the city council of Nijmegen. His son, the future engraver Dirk, was born in that city in 1641.
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Bosboom relocated to Amsterdam to serve as a master mason, providing direct assistance to the city architect, Jacob van Campen. He contributed to the construction of the Amsterdam City Hall, a major municipal project active between 1649 and 1653, alongside the sculptor Artus Quellinus. Following the removal of Willem de Keyser from the position of city mason in 1653, Bosboom succeeded to the post. Upon the death of Van Campen in 1657, Bosboom received a further promotion to the role of city architect.
Theoretical Contributions
The instructional volume produced by Bosboom functioned as a vital handbook for contemporaries, facilitating the dissemination of Scamozzi’s principles. This contribution to architectural literature was recognized in the biographical compilation of artists by Cornelis de Bie. Bosboom’s diverse professional background included roles as an architect, stonemason, artist, sculptor, and draftsperson. He died in 1670 at the age of 56 in Amsterdam.
Fast facts
- Born: 1614, Emden
- Died: 1670, Amsterdam
- Occupations: Architect, writer, stonemason, artist, sculptor, draftsperson
- Citizenship: Dutch Republic, Holy Roman Empire
- Notable Publication: Cort onderwys van de Vyf Colommen
- Major Project: Amsterdam City Hall
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of Bosboom's book?
It served as a popular handbook that spread the architectural theories of Vincenzo Scamozzi throughout the Netherlands.
What positions did he hold in Amsterdam?
He served as a master mason, the city mason, and eventually the city architect.
