Theo Beerendonk - in 1966 bijna abstracte potlood/houtskool tekening "liggend voloptueus naakt" - Sold

Beautiful, almost abstract pencil/charcoal on paper drawing by the Amsterdam multi-disciplinary artist Theo Beerendonk (1905-1979). He made this "reclining voltuously nude" in February 1966. The drawing is in good condition and is signed and dated lower left in red ink. In passe partout - not framed. Sheet size 22x34cm.

Biography: Theo Beerendonk

The oeuvre of Theo Beerendonk (1905-1979) reflects the stormy developments that art went through in the twentieth century. At a rapid pace, Beerendonk built up an impressive oeuvre of portraits, still lifes and nudes that stood out for their idiosyncratic use of colour.


Theodorus Hendricus Johannes (Theo) Beerendonk studied from 1925 to 1931 at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, where he received a thorough training in classical painting under the guidance of professors JH Jurres and Hendrik Jan Wolter. In the 1930s, Beerendonk caused a furore with daring nudes, in the tradition of his great predecessors George Hendrik Breitner, Isaac Israels and Jan Sluijters. In addition, he painted portraits, still lifes, flowers, figures and landscapes, he also devoted himself to etching, in which he achieved true mastery. He mastered all techniques, from drypoint and mezzotint to aquatint and vernis-mou. He was a member of various organizations: Maatschappij Rembrandt 1944, St.-Lucas Amsterdam 1944, Arti et Amicitiae Amsterdam as a member until 1956 and as 2nd chairman from 1957.


After World War II, he began to stylize and abstract his subjects and his work became more abstract.
In 1966, Beerendonk was appointed curator at the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, where he gave demonstrations in etching and also reprinted Rembrandt's copper plates.
Beerendonk's own etchings often show Amsterdam cityscapes and the landscape around Amsterdam, as Rembrandt must have seen.