Tieleman Roosterman

Tieleman Roosterman (1598 – 1673), was a Dutch cloth merchant and friend of Willem van Heythuysen. Roosterman is best remembered today for his portrait painted by Frans Hals.

Biography According to Pieter Biesboer he is possibly also the subject of the painting known as The Laughing Cavalier. The portrait he is most known for was dated in 1634, and probably commissioned on the occasion of his wedding to Catharina Brugmans in 1631. The Roostermans were rich textile merchants who lived in a large house on the Smedestraat and who associated with wealthy cloth merchants of Haarlem and Amsterdam. They baptised 10 children between 1633 and 1652.

He was buried in the Church of St Bavo near his friend Willem van Heythuysen and his wife followed him in 1677. Their house in the Smedestraat continued to be occupied by their son Hendrick until his death.