Jan Adam Zandlevenartist • painterKoog aan de Zaan 1868-1923 Rhenen

In 1902, at the age of 34, Jan Adam Zandleven chose to paint, on the advice - as the story goes - of Jozef Israels and P.J.C. Gabriel. Two years later, the painter moved to Gorssel, where he developed further on his own. Important was his introduction to H.P. Bremmer, who recognized his talent and advised Hélène Kröller-Müller to buy work from Zandleven, which she did. In 1912 he settled in Putten on the Veluwe. The painter felt most in his element when he could retreat with his easel to the forest, far from the bustle of the city. Under his hands there were enchanting paintings of birch and beech that light up in the shadow of the forest. Initially Zandleven painted landscapes, later also village views, still lifes and interiors; like trees painted in a broad pointillism with small, thick dots of paint. His canvases show traces of long-term attention to the subject and an endless work through in the paint.