Born and raised in the provincial city of Arnhem, he studied to become an architect with his uncle Husly.
In 1791 he was forced to let his inventory be liquidated, because he couldn't fulfill his financial obligations any longer – finally he was able to come to arrangements with his creditors.
According to his uncle Husly, Viervant couldn't handle money, and he lived a wild life.
Short after his entry in the stonemason guild of Amsterdam in 1768, he got an assignment by the churchmasters of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) for a 'Bardiglio Marmere schoosteenmantel met holle stijlen en ornament in het midden voor f 180 (a Bardiglio marmer chimney mantel with hollow styles and an ornament in the middle for 180 guilders).
This does however show his involvement with the patriotic circles, which would later make him director of the City and Public Works Department.