A gnarled man, with an impressive moustache and a pointed beard. Holding a large painter’s palette in his right hand, a brush his left. This is how you can picture Jan Sluijters. He lived from 1881 to 1957 and was a forerunner in his time. You can see that clearly when you compare the portrait of his wife Bertha with the other portraits.

Bertha is depicted in the classical academic style: rather dark and with little colour. This is how Sluijters painted in his early days. But soon he started working in an innovative style. That can be seen in the other portraits, which are vibrant with bright colours.

Sluijters is known for his preference for painting women, every one of which he painted slightly differently. Do you see the differences?