Jacobus Houbraken (1698 -1780) born in Dortrect and learned the art of engraving from his father Arnold Houbraken. In 1707 he moved to Amsterdam, where for years he helped his father on his historical art biography, The great Theatre of Dutch Painters (1718–1721). Houbraken devoted himself almost entirely to portraiture. His work became famous through his collaboration with the historian Thomas Birch and artist George Virtue, on the project entitled, Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, published in parts in London from 1743 to 1752.