Born in Schiedam, Abraham van der Zee started his painting career with landscapes, still lifes and church interiors in the colours of the Hague School. A change came after he settled in Zeeland Zoutelande on Walcheren. Under the influence of the light and the colors along the coast, his palette became clearer. In 1943 he moved to Rheden, where until his death in 1958 he devoted himself to painting landscapes, still lifes and village scenes.