Weissenbruch, Hendrik Johannes (1824-1903)

Weissenbruch, Hendrik Johannes

PAINTER (NETHERLANDS)

BORN 30 Nov 1824, Den Haag, Zuid-Holland - DIED 14 Mar 1903, Den Haag, Zuid-Holland
GRAVE LOCATION Den Haag, Zuid-Holland: Algemene Begraafplaats, Kerkhoflaan 12 (A2/NOZY/25/-)

Jan Weissenbruch was the son of a cook and a baker. He took drawing lessons when he was 16 and later he was studied at the Academy in The Hague (1839-1847). His father collected the works of Andreas Schelfhout and they influenced the work of Jan, who also admired the works of Ruisdael that he saw at the Mauritshuis in The Hague.

When Schelfhout saw his work he invited him to work in his studio, but he joined the studio of Johannes Bosboom instead. During the 1860s he often worked in the surroundings of Gouda.

After 1875 air and light became more important in his work and in later years he painted almost in an abstract style. After 1880 his landscapes became popular by a large public. When Van Gogh asked him for an opinion on his work, Weissenbruch promised him to support it when asked about it.

Weissenbruch lived in The Hague all his life. When he was 76 he finally travelled abroad and visited Barbizon and Fontainebleau.

Images

The grave of H.J. Weissenbruch at the Gemeentelijke Begraafplaats, Den Haag.
Picture by Androom (03 Aug 2007)