He studied the old masters Salomon van Ruysdael, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan Wijnants and in particular, Meindert Hobbema, and sought to make use of their techniques in his nature studies.
Han studerede især de gamle guldaldermestre Salomon van Ruysdael, Jacob van Ruysdael, Jan Wijnants og i særlig grad Meindert Hobbema og søgte at lære deres teknikker til landskabsgengivelse.