Realist Röling

Matthijs Röling's study at the art academy in The Hague lasted only three years. ‘After a conflict they expelled me’ he says. Röling wants to paint in a realistic style, not abstract. He gives it another shot at the Amsterdam art academy but, after a few months, leaves for Groningen. There, at the Minverva Academy, realistic painting is appreciated in the 1970s.  

Röling starts teaching there and quickly gathers supporters, amongst whom are Wout Muller, Henk Helmantel, Clary Mastenbroek en Barend Blankert. Journalists regularly denounce their work as old-fashioned, but the public can’t get enough of it. At exhibitions their works sell well and they inspire many new artists. And realistic art is still popular to this very day. 

So there you have it: it pays off to stick to one's own taste.