Jentsje Popma (Zwolle, September 30, 1921 – Leeuwarden, September 28, 2022) was a versatile Dutch artist, known as a painter, sculptor, glass artist and ceramist. His artistic career spanned several decades, during which he had a lasting influence on the Dutch art scene.
Popma studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam from 1939 to 1942 and continued his studies at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam between 1943 and 1949. During his time at the Rijksakademie he received the Cohen Gosschalk Prize as a promising student in 1946 and the Vrouwe Vigelius Prize in the same year.
Until 1968, Popma was active as a stained glass artist and created stained glass windows for various public buildings, including town halls, schools and churches. His talent was not limited to glasswork; As a sculptor, he created several monumental works that stand out for their expressive power and craftsmanship.
In the 1970s, Popma shared his expertise as a teacher in monumental techniques, such as sculpting and painting, at the Minerva Academy in Groningen. Here he inspired a new generation of artists with his knowledge and passion for the arts.
From the end of the 1980s, Popma focused more intensively on painting Frisian landscapes in particular. His works from this period are characterized by a profound appreciation for the natural beauty and unique atmosphere of the Dutch landscape.
During his life, Popma received several awards for his contributions to art. In 2007, he was awarded the Pommeranten Prize in his hometown of Leeuwarden, and in 2021 he received the Friese Anjer. In honor of his 100th birthday in 2021, Stifting Nijkleaster organized an exhibition in Leeuwarden and published a book about his life and work. The Fries Museum also dedicated a retrospective exhibition to his oeuvre on the occasion of this milestone.
Jentsje Popma's legacy is a testament to his dedication to art and his ability to capture the essence of the Dutch landscape and culture. His work continues to be a source of inspiration for art lovers and emerging artists alike.
