There is little documentary evidence to support the life of Jacob Claessens, however, it is known that he was born in Utrecht, travelled to Antwerp in 1506 and remained there until about 1512 when he departed to Lübeck, where he found great success.

As a Dutch artist in Germany, Jacob van Utrecht's works were in demand and he found ready patrons amongst the Clergy and Patricians, working most prolifically between about 1520-30. He produced large triptychs for churches as well as small devotional paintings and portraits. The present work is one of two portraits of Bockholt executed in 1523 and 1524 respectively. It displays his characteristic liking for the half-length figure shown in three-quarter profile against a rich broad patterned brocaded fabric. He places great store in the characterisation of his figures, painting large expressive heads with deep furrows and heavy lidded eyes, and with oversized hands shown with strong contours and deep shadow. Each aspect served to emphasise the dignity and seriousness of the sitter whilst the sloping shoulders draws attention down to the sitter's attributes, in this case a chain of office and a Psalter