Portrait of the Painter Dirk Valkenburg, anonymous, 1685 - c. 1721
Witsen sent the painter Dirk Valkenburg to Suriname to document his property. There he drew the buildings and made paintings for his patron, but also took charge of the bookkeeping. When Wally and his brother argued with the director, Valkenburg intervened. He slapped Wally in the face and said to him: ‘you cur, you’re always the cause of this trouble and rebellion with your brother Mingo.