Dirk Oudes (1895 - 1969)

Dirk Oudes

Dirk Oudes was a Dutch watchmaker and artist. He is the father of the draftsman Jaap Oudes. At a young age, Dirk Oudes became involved in the business of his father, Jacob Oudes, who was a jeweler and antique dealer. Here he learned the craft of a watchmaker. Dirk Oudes opened his gold and silver jewelry business in 1923. Through the trade in antiques, gold and silver, he naturally came into contact with the fine arts. Cooper/artist Koos Stickworth, watchmaker/artist Jan Plas helped him in his first steps as an artist. To gain skills in drawing and painting, Dirk began to copy the old Flemish masters. But after a while, the influence of Koos Stickworth comes to the fore. This doesn't last long because Vincent van Gogh soon becomes his great example and Dirk begins to paint more in the Van Gogh style. From 1939 Van Gogh's influence diminished again and more expressionist influences appeared in his work. The work of Dirk Oudes is considered part of the Expressionist art movement.