This article corrects the misattribution of a seventeenth-century Rotterdam paint shop, revealing that it was not run by Abraham van Bubbeson, but by his wife, Ermptgen van Putten. Through the study of new archival sources and a ‘reading against the grain’ of existing documents, this research shows that Van Putten successfully managed a shop offering a wide range of painting supplies to diverse clients, from notable painters to craftsmen. She likely possessed deep material knowledge, a broad supplier network, strategic specialization, and technical expertise in preparing ‘wet’ ready-mixed paint. This case study challenges traditional perceptions of Dutch seventeenth-century paint sellers, highlighting widows who independently continued their late husbands' trades in art supplies. As such, it contributes to a broader understanding of women’s roles in the art market, demonstrating that they were involved not only in art production but also in a crucial, yet understudied, step of the artistic supply chain.