The varied oeuvre of Jurjen de Haan | John Sillevis

Original title: "Pronkhaan weerhaan. Het veelzijdige oeuvre van Jurjen de Haan." Text both in English and Dutch. Published in edition of 2500. Padded hardcover. Bound cover.

About the Artist Jurjen de Haan

Jurjen de Haan, born in The Hague in 1936, is celebrated as a sculptor and painter. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague, aligning with the principles of New Realism. His vibrant oil paintings transport viewers into a fantastical, carefree world where pretension and heavy seriousness have no place. Figures in his works—humans, animals, and children alike—showcase playfulness and humor, inviting the audience to revel in their exuberant capers.

De Haan’s artistic style combines the dynamic, colorful spirit of the Cobra movement with the distinct gray hues that characterize The Hague. While painting, he often draws inspiration from the verses of poet Lucebert, with poetic associations shaping the evocative titles of his works.

Known for his large canvases, often measuring 200 x 200 cm, De Haan also explores unconventional shapes and sizes, including triangular and elongated formats. His technique of painting wet-on-wet results in fluid, nuanced textures that appear deceptively layered and intricate.

In addition to his artistic achievements, De Haan taught at the Arnhem School of the Arts from 1963 to 1991. He also played a key role as chairman of Pulchri Studio and served on the advisory committee of the Kunst en Bedrijf Foundation in Amsterdam. His contributions to art were recognized with the Jacob Hartog Prize in 1982.

During the late 1990s, his works were featured in exhibitions across Zwolle, Wassenaar, and The Hague, solidifying his place as a prominent figure in Dutch art.

About the Author John Sillevis

John J. Th. Sillevis is a Dutch art historian and visual artist, born in 1946. He completed his doctorate in art history and archaeology at Leiden University in 1972. That same year, he began his career at the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague, initially as head of the Department of Hague History. Later, he worked at the independently managed Haags Historisch Museum, where he served as curator for modern art, with a focus on managing the 19th-century art collection.

In 1992, Sillevis was appointed Head Curator at Museum Het Paleis on Lange Voorhout. From 2000 until his retirement, he held the position of Head Curator of Exhibitions at the Gemeentemuseum. Throughout his career, Sillevis curated numerous influential exhibitions and contributed to many books as author, co-author, or editor, often providing accompanying texts for exhibitions. He also participated in several film and video productions related to art history topics.

In addition to his academic and curatorial career, Sillevis is an accomplished visual artist, specializing in portraiture and medal engraving. He creates portrait medals from glass and bronze, further showcasing his versatile talent in both art historical research and artistic creation.

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