Jan Sirks c 1925
Jan Sirks
was a highly prolific artist and his art shows the influences of the exciting time of the early 20th Century. His etchings, paintings, watercolours and drawings capture daily life in the city and the port in action. Although his work is uniquely individual there are traces of the artistic influences of his time such as Impressionism, Cubism, Realism, Expressionism.
More about the artist...Art Gallery
Rotterdam Maashaven 1922
The Gallery includes paintings, etchings, watercolours , drawings, woodcuts and pastels from each of the Stylistic Stages of his career.
Subject Matter
Pastel landscape 1922
The artist is most well- known for his etchings and paintings of port and canal scenes of Rotterdam; cityscapes of Amsterdam, Leiden, Delft, Utrecht and London but his work includes Landscapes, Trees, Farm Scenes, The Subconscious / Esoteric, Figures & Portraits, Self-portraits, Animals and Birds.
Themes
Elevator in Rotterdam Maashaven 1922
The recurring themes in the work of Sirks are industrialization, urban life, construction, shipping, isolation, solitude and harmony.
Model and Muse
Hillegonda drawing c 1915
In 1912 Jan Sirks engages Hillegonda Louise Mol to model for him. Hillegonda inspired him throughout his life.
Artistic Influences
Trees ink drawing 1922
Sirks was influenced by Impressionism, Realism, The Hague School, Fauvism, Cubism, Japonisme and German Expressionism in the development of his uniquely personal style. He was a member of The Bergen School and The Surf (De Branding).
STYLISTIC STAGES
Self portrait c 1918 35 x 28 cm.
There are clear stages in the art of Sirks during which he focused on specific themes, treatment of subject matter or colour.