Jan Toorop (1858 - 1928)

Jan Toorop

Johannes Theodorus Toorop was the foremost representative of symbolism in Dutch painting. He studied painting at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels.

Jan Theodor Torop studied the works of the Pre-Raphaelites, which left a deep impression on him. In the late 1880s, Thorop painted in the style of pointillism and became the first Dutch painter to use this technique.

In Belgium the artist was heavily influenced by the work of James Ensor and Torop gradually moved towards Symbolism and Art Nouveau. Graphics and illustrations also featured prominently in his work.