Rockefeller first became interested in the region through its artists, and then through the Venezuelan subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey--the family business.
The Standard Oil of New Jersey in Venezuela was run by the Van Der Bilt family. 
mnli hypothesis: The Standard Oil of New Jersey in Venezuela was run by the Van Der Bilt family.  premise: Rockefeller first became interested in the region through its artists, and then through the Venezuelan subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey--the family business.