J. C. van Schaik MA studied French Language and Literature (VU Amsterdam). He worked as a French teacher in secondary education, and for many years he was responsible for training French MO in the eastern Netherlands.
In the 70s, he began publishing in-house French translation books for universities and vocational schools (les éditions Saint-Lazare). Shortly after that, he was asked to expand the fund.
From selling the books he gathered a collection of paintings. Shortly before his retirement, he registered at the Chamber of Commerce as a marchand de tableaux.
From then on, he has been taking part in fairs and buys and sells paintings and he acts as a mediator for individuals.