The Netherlands Symbolism


Pieter Cornelis de Moor, a Dutch artist, stands out as a versatile and innovative figure in the art world. His education at the Academy of Visual Arts in Rotterdam and the Drawing Academy in Antwerp laid the foundation for a career marked by diversity and creativity. De Moor's achievements, including a silver medal in the Prix de Rome in 1887, underline his early recognition and the promise of his artistic journey.
De Moor's artistry was not confined to a single medium; he was adept in drawing, etching, painting, watercolor, producing lithographs, and working as an illustrator. His artworks, ranging from "Dancing Women" to "Poultry on a Yard" and "An Elegant Lady Feeding Peacocks," showcase his broad thematic interests and technical skills. Notably, his works are held in prestigious collections, including the Rijksmuseum and the Dordrechts Museum.
The artist's life was rich with experiences, having worked across Europe and eventually settling in the United States. His legacy, punctuated by exhibitions in museums such as Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and the Drents Museum, continues to captivate art enthusiasts and collectors.
For collectors and art experts, delving into the works of Pieter Cornelis de Moor offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of Dutch art. His contributions, particularly in the realm of Symbolism, highlight an era of artistic exploration and innovation.
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Matthias Maris was a Dutch painter, etcher and lithographer. He initially belonged to the Hague School, like his two brothers, Jacob and Willem, but his later works deviated more and more from that school into a unique style influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites. Most of the paintings by M. Maris are in museums and private collections in Great Britain and the USA. A great admirer of the artist's talent was Vincent van Gogh.


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.


Jan Verkade, birth name Johannes Sixtus Gerhardus Verkade, later changed to Willibrord Verkade, was a Dutch and German Benedictine monk, Post-Impressionist and Symbolist painter.
Jan was captivated by art from his youth and began studying painting at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, later in Paris he met Paul Gauguin, Paul Sérusier and other Symbolists, which played a major role in his worldview. In the last years of the 19th century, Verkade joined the Nabis (Les Nabis), a group of Symbolist artists. Fascinated by esoteric mysticism, the Kabbalah and Eastern magical teachings, he, however, adhered to the canons of Christianity.
In 1893 Verkade went to a Benedictine monastery in Boiron, Germany, painted churches and monasteries, and in 1902 he became a priest and changed his name to Willibrord Verkade. He continued to paint until 1927, but was no longer able to reach the level of his French period, considered his best period. However, he made a significant contribution to the Beuron school of art, which was founded by a confederation of Benedictine monks in Germany at the end of the 19th century. Up until his death in 1946, Verkade led a reclusive life, writing several religious, historical, and scientific linguistic works over the years.