Anton Molkenboerartist • painterLeeuwarden 1872-1960 Haarlem

Antoon Molkenboer comes from an artistic family. Like his brother Theo, he received his first drawing lessons from their father Willem Molkenboer and gained experience in the studio of his uncle Antoon Derkinderen, who would later become the director of the Rijksacademie. He studied at the Rijksnormaalschool for Drawing Teachers – of which his father was one of the founders – and at the Rijksacademie. Molkenboer was a versatile artist: he drew, watercolored, lithographed, and designed many covers. From 1895 onwards, he created (satirical) illustrations for the weekly magazine 'De Kroniek'. He was also active in the theater world, where he wrote texts and designed sets and costumes. In 1905, he broadened his horizons and left for the USA. First to New York, later to San Francisco and Los Angeles where he received various assignments. Molkenboer remained there for five years before returning and settling in The Hague. During a bombing in 1942, his house was destroyed and he moved to his daughter in Haarlem. Although he created a lot of graphic work, such as the program covers for the Wagner Association, he also painted and drew various portraits. From the 1920s onward, Molkenboer focused more on monumental work: stained glass windows, murals, and mosaic decorations for offices, theaters, schools, and churches. His mosaics were particularly well received. Molkenboer remained a versatile artist throughout his entire working life: from grand wall decorations to a graphic design for postage stamps.