Jaap Hillenius (Amsterdam, 6 June 1934 – ibid., 26 August 1999) was a Dutch painter, draftsman and graphic artist, known for his contemporary interpretation of Impressionism and his in-depth research into human perception.
Education and early career
From 1952 to 1957, Hillenius studied at the Institute for Applied Arts Education in Amsterdam. After graduating, he received several awards, including the Henriëtte Roland Holst Prize, the Jeanne Oosting Prize, the Royal Subsidy for Painting, the Talens Prize and the Willink van Collen Prize.
Teaching and influence
Between 1982 and 1990, Hillenius was a teacher at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, where he shared his knowledge and passion for art with a new generation of artists.
Artistic style and themes
In his early years, Hillenius worked figuratively and described himself as a 'sensitive expressionist'. Later, his focus shifted to human perception, investigating in series of works how painterly accents can guide the viewer's eye movements through the painting. His style is characterized by a subtle play with colorful spots in mostly abstract combinations, which reflect his ideal image of light and human interaction.
Personal life
Hillenius was the younger brother of writer Dick Hillenius and was married to painter and photographer Mies de Roos (1934-2008). From the 1960s, he worked in a studio in the garden of architect Aldo and Hannie van Eyck in Loenen aan de Vecht. On August 26, 1999, he died in Amsterdam at the age of 65 as a result of a traffic accident.
Legacy
Hillenius left behind a consistent and influential oeuvre, consisting of paintings, drawings, watercolors and graphics. His work is included in the collections of the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, among others. In 2006, the documentary "Jaap Hillenius, attempt to get closer" by Kees Hin was released, in which his life and work are highlighted.
Jaap Hillenius is remembered as an artist who continually explored the boundaries of perception and expression, and who has had a lasting impact on the Dutch art world.
