Jan Altinkartist • painter • watercolourist • draughtsmanGroningen 1885-1971
biography of Jan Altink
Portrait of Jan Altink
Jan Altink, together with Jan Wiegers, Johan Dijkstra and George Martens, was one of the founders of the Groningen art circle 'De Ploeg'. Altink and a few of his artistic friends thought that the relaxed art climate in Groningen should be exploited. This gave rise to the idea of calling the new art circle De Ploeg.
Altink was an exceptionally talented student from the Minerva Academy in Groningen. During his training he already received prizes and medals of honor. After obtaining the M.O.- Drawing Act, he made a living for a number of years by teaching at drawing and craft schools in Leek, Middelstum and Zuidbroek and as a decorative painter. In addition to his free work, Altink designed advertisements and logos for Groningen companies and illustrated poetry collections, children's books and educational publications. He remained closely involved with De Ploeg for a long time and was a member until the second half of the 1960s. Several times he held the position of secretary and once that of treasurer.
Altink, farmer's son from a farmer's family, has always been used to working outside. That makes him more than any other Team Member the 'landscape painter' of the art circle. During his academy time he was already taught by his teacher F.H. Sent Bach out to record what he saw there. Altink initially painted post-impressionist landscapes, cityscapes and portraits in shades of gray and green. His work was immediately appreciated and was very well reviewed in the Northern newspapers at the Pictura exhibition in 1918. His work changed around 1922. He was often found with Johan Dijkstra, Jan Wiegers or Ekke Kleima at Blauwborgje, a farm on the Reitdiep, a river between Groningen city and Zoutkamp. In the 1920s it was a meeting point of the team members. Farmer Schuitema often baked pancakes and painted outside. At that time, Altink's use of color changed and purple, flaming yellow and blue made their appearance. Until the 1960s, the Reitdiep and the surrounding Groningen farmland remained the painter's favorite motifs.
In 1924 there was a breakthrough in Altink's work. He starts using wax paint. Oil paint was diluted for this with beeswax and petrol. Following the example of the German expressionist Kirchner, it was mainly Altink, Jan Wiegers and Johan Dijkstra who used this paint mixture. It dried much faster than oil paint and provided a matte appearance and full color. The period between 1924 and 1927 is considered Altink's most important expressionist time and his production was enormous. In 1925, Altink himself said of his bright, pronounced use of color: 'Things have no color. Only the light has color. '
After 1927, the tone of Altink's work changed. His color palette is often limited to just three or four colors that he uses to suggest light and space in his landscapes. After moving to the south of the city of Groningen in 1933, the typical clay land disappears as a motif and he focuses more on the North Drenthe landscape and the Paterswoldse Meer. The new environment also has an effect on the painter's use of color, which was described in the Groninger Dagblad of October 6, 1938 as 'a warm-colored Impressionism, which is darker and less robust than his earlier work'. Under the influence of the depressing circumstances of the war years, Altink applied more brown and gray in those years, and his still lifes, on which he often worked at night, also look dark.
After the war, Altink and other members of De Ploeg were given more space to make foreign trips. Jan went to the South of France in 1946, later also to Switzerland, probably on the advice of Jan Wiegers. The new landscapes, the light and the colors presented a completely new challenge. Director of the Groninger museum Jos de Gruyter increased awareness of De Ploeg's work and organized exhibitions that were not only shown in Groningen, but also in the west and south of the country. After Altink's death in 1971, the Frans Hals Mu
for salepaintings, watercolours and drawings by Jan Altink
Altink J.
A moored sailing ship near farmhouses, wax paint on canvas, 43.0 x 54.4 cm, signed l.r. and dated '29
Altink J.
A portrait of Mrs Georges Duhamel reciting a poem, ink and watercolour on paper, 54.6 x 43.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '24
Altink J.
A summer landscape with the church of Oostum, chalk and watercolour on paper, 41.2 x 59.7 cm
Altink J.
Abandoned farm in France, tempera on paper, 63.0 x 47.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '53
Altink J.
Arable land with farms, black chalk on paper, 31.1 x 48.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '61
Altink J.
Blauwborgje; verso: A landscape with a horse in a meadow, oil on canvas, 44.0 x 53.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '40
Altink J.
Café near the bridge in Steentil, charcoal on paper, 48.5 x 33.5 cm, signed l.r. and executed ca. '56
Altink J.
Country road through pine forest and flowering heather, watercolour on paper, 54.9 x 69.8 cm
Altink J.
Country road with yellow sky; on the reverse: Wooded path, gouache on paper, 56.0 x 78.4 cm
Altink J.
Cyclist on the Hereweg in Groningen, oil on canvas, 100.4 x 80.1 cm, painted end 1920's
Altink J.
Farm with hay-stack, oil on canvas, 50.3 x 70.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '40
Altink J.
Farms, charcoal on paper, 36.7 x 48.8 cm, signed l.r. with initials and dated '65
Altink J.
Farmyard in summer, oil on paper, 48.2 x 67.2 cm
Altink J.
Flax field; on the reverse: A horse in a field, wax paint on canvas, 58.0 x 78.5 cm, signed l.l. on the reverse and painted ca. 1930
Altink J.
Forest with a pond, watercolour on paper, 61.7 x 46.7 cm, signed l.r. and dated '55
Altink J.
Harvest time, wax paint on canvas, 80.1 x 100.0 cm, signed l.l. and dated '25
Altink J.
Landscape in the Haute-Savoie, gouache on paper, 47.3 x 63.2 cm, signed l.r. and dated '53
Altink J.
Landscape with a house, oil on canvas, 60.3 x 78.0 cm, signed l.r.
Altink J.
Landscape with chickens and cows, Groningen, oil on canvas, 60.8 x 52.4 cm, signed l.l. and painted in the late 1920s
Altink J.
Lying nude, oil on canvas, 49.9 x 70.4 cm
Altink J.
Moored ships on the Paterswolde lake, oil on canvas, 40.4 x 50.3 cm, signed l.r.
Altink J.
Mother and child in the cornfields, groningen, wax paint on canvas, 50.3 x 60.2 cm, signed l.r. and dated '51
Altink J.
Naked seen from the back, chalk on paper, 46.0 x 33.0 cm, signed l.l.
Altink J.
Sailing boats moored along the Paterswoldsemeer, oil on canvas, 60.8 x 80.6 cm, signed l.l. and dated '43
Altink J.
Sunflowers, oil on canvas, 56.5 x 46.5 cm, signed l.l.
Altink J.
The Paterswold lake in Groningen with Albert Helder's shipyard, wax paint on canvas, 63.2 x 78.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '29
Altink J.
The Paterswolde lake; on the reverse: landscape, oil on canvas, 60.9 x 50.8 cm, signed l.r. and on the reverse and dated '41 and '48 on the reverse
Altink J.
The bridge at Steentil near Aduard, watercolour and gouache on paper, 63.5 x 49.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '56
Altink J.
Working the land, wax paint on canvas, 55.0 x 63.6 cm, signed l.l. and dated '25
previously for salepaintings, watercolours and drawings by Jan Altink
Altink J.
Meisje op de fiets, watercolour on paper, 63.0 x 47.0 cm, gesigneerd r.o. and gedateerd '26
Altink J.
Bloemstilleven van tulpen in een vaas !!! i.o., 39.9 x 30.1 cm, gesigneerd r.o.
Altink J.
Vlasakker; verso: Boerenerf met paard, oil on canvas, 60.2 x 80.2 cm, gesigneerd verso l.o. and eind jaren '20 / '30 paard
Altink J.
'Zonneflikkering', wax paint on canvas, 60.3 x 70.3 cm, signed l.l. and dated '28
Altink J.
A Swiss mountain landscape, oil on canvas, 60.2 x 80.3 cm, signed l.r. and painted ca. 1930
Altink J.
A colourful bouquet in a vase, oil on canvas, 40.8 x 30.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '43
Altink J.
A country road with trees, watercolour on paper, 39.2 x 29.0 cm, signed l.l.
Altink J.
A country road, Groningen, oil on canvas, 60.3 x 80.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '43
Altink J.
A country road, Groningen, gouache on paper, 50.5 x 65.7 cm, signed l.r. and dated '51
Altink J.
A farm along a ditch, oil on canvas, 60.2 x 80.4 cm, signed l.r. and dated '40
Altink J.
A farm in a summer landscape, oil on canvas, 60.6 x 50.2 cm, signed l.r. and dated '46
Altink J.
A farm in a summer landscape, oil on canvas, 70.5 x 90.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '63
Altink J.
A farmer in a landscape, oil on canvas, 55.5 x 68.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '24
Altink J.
A flower still life, oil on canvas, 60.2 x 49.8 cm, signed l.r. and dated '43
Altink J.
A forest, oil on canvas, 52.2 x 60.5 cm, signed l.l. and painted ca. 1960
Altink J.
A kitchen garden with a shed, oil on canvas, 41.5 x 52.4 cm, signed l.r.
Altink J.
A landscape with a horse and farm, oil on canvas, 50.2 x 60.7 cm, signed l.r. and dated '45
Altink J.
A landscape, Groningen, recto and verso, wax paint on canvas, 51.5 x 60.2 cm, painted in 1926
Altink J.
A landscape, Groningen, recto and verso, wax paint on canvas, 51.5 x 60.2 cm, painted in 1926
Altink J.
A ploughing farmer (recto); Flower still life (verso), watercolour on paper, 43.3 x 54.2 cm, signed on the reverse and dated '24 on the reverse
Altink J.
A portrait of Hendrik Werkman, wax paint on canvas, 40.0 x 30.0 cm, painted circa 1942
Altink J.
A red road, pencil and watercolour on paper, 20.7 x 17.0 cm, signed l.r. with initials and painted between 1925-1930
Altink J.
A still life with a fan and flowers, oil on canvas, 30.2 x 40.1 cm, signed l.r.
Altink J.
A still life with anemones, oil on canvas, 30.3 x 40.0 cm, signed l.l.
Altink J.
A still life with dahlias, oil on canvas, 39.2 x 34.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '18
Altink J.
A still life with roses, 23.8 x 33.8 cm, signed l.r.
Altink J.
A view of 'Het Rietdiep', wax paint on canvas, 60.3 x 70.2 cm, signed l.r.
Altink J.
A view of Noordwolde, pastel on paper, 48.0 x 63.4 cm, signed l.r. and dated '43
Altink J.
A view of the Oosterhaven, Groningen, oil on canvas, 50.6 x 70.4 cm
Altink J.
A view of the Oosterhaven, Groningen, oil on canvas, 50.6 x 70.4 cm
Altink J.
A view of the Paterwolde lake, oil on canvas, 50.0 x 70.2 cm, signed l.r.
Altink J.
Along the Paterswoldse meer, Groningen, wax paint on canvas, 52.3 x 65.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '41
Altink J.
Blauwborgje, Groningen, oil on canvas, 50.3 x 69.9 cm, signed l.r. and dated '42
Altink J.
Country road, Groningen, gouache on paper, 50.5 x 65.7 cm, signed l.r. and dated '51
Altink J.
Cows in the evening sun, oil on canvas, 50.0 x 60.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '41
Altink J.
Dutch river landscape with red windmill, pencil and watercolour on paper, 20.0 x 15.5 cm, signed l.l. with initials
Altink J.
Early springtime along the Reitdiep, oil on canvas, 60.5 x 70.3 cm, signed l.r. and dated '27
Altink J.
Farm with haystack, oil on canvas, 49.8 x 59.8 cm, signed l.r. and dated '40
Altink J.
Farmhouse behind pollard willows, watercolour on paper, 31.5 x 44.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '39
Altink J.
Farms in a landscape, black chalk and washed ink on paper, 31.8 x 48.7 cm, signed l.l. and dated '32
Altink J.
Farms in a landscape, black chalk and washed ink on paper, 31.8 x 48.7 cm, signed l.l. and dated '32
Altink J.
Farmyard, oil on canvas, 64.2 x 91.0 cm, signed l.l. and dated '37
Altink J.
Flowers in a copper kettle, oil on canvas, 40.1 x 30.3 cm, signed l.l. and dated '40
Altink J.
Flowers in a copper kettle, oil on canvas, 40.1 x 30.3 cm, signed l.l. and dated '40
Altink J.
Forest path, chalk and gouache on paper, 50.4 x 70.0 cm
Altink J.
Harvesting farmer, oil on canvas, 59.9 x 80.2 cm, signed signed l.r. and dated '42
Altink J.
Hay-cocks in a landscape, oil on canvas, 44.6 x 64.6 cm, signed l.r. and dated '42
Altink J.
Horse on a farmyard, black chalk and watercolour on paper, 36.5 x 54.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '50
Altink J.
Landscape, black chalk on paper, 26.5 x 36.2 cm, signed l.c. and ca.1930
Altink J.
Landscape in Groningen with blue wagon, oil on canvas, 64.1 x 78.2 cm, signed l.r. and executed ca. 1930
Altink J.
Landscape in the Haute-Savoie, watercolour on paper, 55.5 x 75.8 cm, signed l.r. and dated '63
Altink J.
Landscape in the Weser Hills, oil on canvas, 60.0 x 80.3 cm, painted ca. 1957
Altink J.
Landscape of Groningen, oil on canvas, 60.2 x 80.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '48
Altink J.
Landscape, Drenthe, black chalk on paper, 26.5 x 36.2 cm, signed l.c. and ca.1930
Altink J.
Mountain landscape, gouache, watercolour and chalk on paper, 64.0 x 49.9 cm, signed l.r. and dated '57
Altink J.
Mountain landscape, gouache on paper, 48.5 x 63.7 cm
Altink J.
Mountain landscape in the Haut Savoie, oil on burlap, 50.3 x 60.4 cm
Altink J.
Old road between Garmerwolde and Ten Boer, oil on canvas, 61.7 x 72.3 cm, signed l.l. and dated '33
Altink J.
Ploughing the fields, wax paint on canvas, 55.0 x 70.1 cm, gesigneerd r.o and te dateren ca. 1924-1928
Altink J.
Purple road, gouache on paper, 65.0 x 49.9 cm, signed l.r. and dated '54
Altink J.
Road along a farm, Groningen, watercolour on paper, 38.0 x 57.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '56
Altink J.
Roses in a glass vase, oil on canvas, 40.0 x 30.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '42
Altink J.
Ship in the Reitdiep, oil on canvas, 50.0 x 70.8 cm, signed l.r. and dated '67
Altink J.
Still life with dahlias, oil on canvas, 39.2 x 34.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '18
Altink J.
Still life with sunflowers, oil on canvas, 39.2 x 34.2 cm
Altink J.
Sunflowers, oil on canvas laid down on board, 38.2 x 30.1 cm, signed l.r. and dated ' 42
Altink J.
Sunflowers, oil on canvas, 39.2 x 34.2 cm
Altink J.
Sunny wood, oil on canvas, 75.3 x 100.0 cm, painted ca. 1962
Altink J.
Swimming in the Paterswolde lake, gouache on paper, 46.5 x 60.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated '51
Altink J.
The Gridone massif, Switzerland, oil on canvas, 75.0 x 100.4 cm, signed l.r. and dated '62
Altink J.
The Paterswolde lake; verso: landscape, oil on canvas, 60.9 x 50.8 cm, signed l.r. and dated '41
Altink J.
The Reitdiep in spring, oil on canvas, 50.0 x 71.0 cm, signed l.l. and dated '39
Altink J.
The Verbindingskanaal in Groningen, tempera on paper, 47.5 x 61.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '62
Altink J.
The atelier of the painter Siep van den Berg on the Sterrebos in Groningen, oil on canvas, 60.0 x 50.2 cm, signed l.r. and dated '51
Altink J.
The beach near Bergen aan Zee, watercolour and gouache on paper, 47.9 x 62.9 cm, signed l.r. and dated '68
Altink J.
The farm 'Huninga' near Pieterburen, oil on canvas, 50.0 x 70.6 cm, signed l.r. and dated '43
Altink J.
The grass crop, oil on canvas, 59.9 x 80.2 cm, signed signed l.r. and dated '42
Altink J.
Winter landscape with farms; verso: farmer on farmyard, oil on canvas, 51.8 x 60.5 cm, signed l.r. and dated '35
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