Willem Dooijewaard (1892-1980) – An adventurous impressionist
Youth and education
Willem Dooijewaard was born in 1892 in Amsterdam. He received his artistic education at the Rijksschool voor Kunstnijverheid in Amsterdam, where he was taught by renowned teachers such as Roland Strasser and Georg Sturm. At a young age he developed a passion for travelling and capturing diverse cultures and landscapes.
Adventurous travels through Asia
At the age of twenty, Dooijewaard was one of the first Dutch artists to leave for the Dutch East Indies. This was the beginning of a series of journeys that would take him throughout Asia. He visited China, Japan, Mongolia and Tibet, and even the Himalayas. His paintings and drawings reflect the daily life of the local population, which he captured in an impressionistic manner without interfering in their activities.
Dooijewaard never used models, but worked directly from observation. He had a great talent for making contact with people and observing them in a respectful and unobtrusive way, which resulted in authentic and lively works of art.
A new chapter in the South of France
After his wanderings in Asia, Dooijewaard settled for a time in the south of France. In Nice he had the unique opportunity to paint ballet dancers from the theatre. His work took a new turn here, in which he focused on dynamics and movement in painting.
Return to the Netherlands
In 1933, Dooijewaard returned to the Netherlands. He settled with his wife, Jacoba, in the artists' village of Blaricum. Here he continued to paint and work until his death in 1980. His work is an impressive record of his travels and encounters, and is still admired for its technical skill and emotional depth.
Legacy
Dooijewaard's oeuvre is a unique window on the diverse cultures and landscapes that he explored during his adventurous life. His works are held in private collections and museums, and continue to inspire art lovers and travelers worldwide. With his impressionistic style and respectful observations, he captured the essence of life in a way that remains timeless.
