“..In July [1808], master Breckenheimer was commissioned to decorate the new Leidsche Schouwburg [Theatre-building].. .[Schelfhout] started painting the forest, what he was good at, and I started to help our master to outline the palace. I got ambition in painting the stage, and practiced with Schelfhout drawing after nature before half past six in the morning and after half past eight in the evening - when the days were long, to be clear. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”