(b Ezinge, nr Groningen, 1744; d Amsterdam, 9 March 1820). Dutch draughtsman, etcher and writer. His family operated a prosperous studio producing lacquered and painted tinware. He was trained in decorative painting by Johannes Franciscus Francé until he was apprenticed to Jan Augustini (1725–73) in Haarlem. With the support of the well-known Groningen professor Petrus Camper (1722–89), Numan left in 1768 or 1769 for Paris, where he received the patronage of Noël Hallé. After encountering Jacques-Philippe Lebas, Numan acquired skill in graphic techniques. On his return to the Netherlands, he enrolled in the Amsterdam Stadstekenacademie (City Drawing School) and gave drawing lessons to high-ranking amateurs in the Felix Meritis Society. Besides publishing two books, during his time in Amsterdam Numan also painted a number of portraits (e.g. Mrs van Collen-Mogge and her Daughter, 1776; Amsterdam, Rijksmus.) and worked with Jurriaan Andriessen on scenery for the new theatre. He was renowned for his series of 24 views of country houses, Hollandsche buitenplaatsen (1799), which were etched individually and then hand-coloured by the painter himself. Numan was also one of the best watercolourists of his time. His palette is warm and melting in quality. Among his most important students was the topographical draughtsman Jan Bulthuis (1750–1801).