Erns Leydenartist • painterRotterdam 1892-1969 Montfort-l'Amaury (Frankrijk)

The painter, architect and sculptor Ernst Leyden initially painted figurative-expressionist, in the style of his friend Jan Sluijters. From 1956 his work became more abstract, partly due to his contacts with the foreign avant-garde. Leyden lived and worked in London, Paris and New York, among other places, and as a result had contact with internationally renowned artists, such as Picasso, Dali, Eames and De Kooning. His stylistically varied oeuvre includes colourfully painted still lifes, landscapes, portraits and abstract compositions. He also made powerful collages, much appreciated by colleagues and critics.