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Otto Eerelmanartist • painter • watercolourist • draughtsmanGroningen 1839-1926

biography of Otto Eerelman

Otto Eerelman, born in Groningen in 1839, started out as a painter of Old Dutch interiors and genre pieces, but gradually established his reputation as a painter of horses: horses in the meadow, in front of the carriage, sjees or sleigh, and in the circus. Also famous are his paintings of Wilhelmina, depicted as a princess with her pony 'Baby' and as a queen as an Amazon. In his later work, in the early 1980s, he paints almost exclusively dog ​​portraits or young dogs. Eerelman mainly owed his popularity to the fact that dogs and especially horses were very popular with the people of Groningen. Journalist and writer Ab Visser once wrote about the painter: 'His popularity was so great that we as children thought that he came as an artist immediately after Rembrandt, only to discover at an older age that people could work so well outside the Herepoort. if I hadn't heard of him anywhere.” The anatomy of the animals in Eerelman's paintings is lifelike and the furs are 'cuddly' captured on the canvas. Eerelman is the first Dutch artist to raise the specialism of animal portraits, a popular and lucrative genre in Europe in the second half of the 19th century, to a high level.

After completing primary school, his parents make Eerelman to work, but he chooses a life as an artist against the wishes of his parents. He begins his studies at the Minerva Academy in Groningen in 1860, where he receives drawing and painting lessons from Johannes Egenberger. This teaches him to make large compositions and small, quick studies of life. In 1864 he continued his studies for another year at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where he also worked for a while in the studio of Lourens Alma Tadema, who taught him the tricks of classical painting. After a short time in Paris, Eerelman returns to Groningen and in 1867 gets a job as a teacher at the Minerva Academy. In addition to his work as a teacher, the painter gets busy making portraits. Many people from Groningen visit the Visserstraat where Eerelman lives to be immortalized by him. There he also met Anna Frederica Braak, whom he married in 1870. Because Eerelman receives more and more assignments, he resigns from Minerva and the couple moves to Brussels in 1874. That stay is short-lived, a year later the Eerelmannen settle in The Hague, where they will live for more than 25 years. There Eerelman discovers where his talent lies and he specializes as a painter of horses, which he depicts in all kinds of scenes, with carriages, sleds, but also in the circus. Later he also paints dogs in all kinds of everyday scenes. Due to the success of his animal portraits, he is also popular with the Royal House and in 1880 he is commissioned to capture the youth of Princess Wilhelmina. During this time he also befriends Hendrik Willem Mesdag and Jozef Israëls, with whom he is part of the cultural life of The Hague, among other things, and he is successful with the sale of his work.

In 1902 Eerelman and his wife moved to the South Veluwe on the advice of their GP, where they settled in Arnhem. But after it is established that the Zuid-Veluwe is not as beneficial as predicted, Eerelman suffers from rheumatism, Otto and Anna return to Groningen in 1907, to a house built for them at Hereweg 26. There, Eerelman receives Pictura from Kunstgenootschap Pictura. in 1919 he was commissioned to make a large painting in honor of the relief of Groningen on 28 August 1672. He was free to choose the subject, but a Groningen scene was naturally preferred. Eerelman opts for one of the traditional annual festivities of the Groningen Relief. Since 1857, a peerdespul' has been taking place in Groningen: harness racing and horse inspections. So it will be 'The Horse Inspection on the Grote Markt on the 28th of August'. In the painting, Eerelman depicts several living and dead Groningen residents who meant a lot to equestrian sport. Not only does he allow himself freedom in portraying people, but he also changes the background and paints a number of facades of the north and east sides of the Grote Markt 'back in time'. When the painting is finished, it will be exhibited for two days in front of a café on the Grote Markt before it is moved to the wedding room of the Groningen city hall. The Provinciale Courant writes on March 30, 1920: 'From morning to evening it is packed... and new people keep coming to see and admire the work of art.' The painting became a symbol of Groningen and the Groningen language.

In the years that followed, Eerelman increasingly suffered from 'rheumatic nerve pain' and avoided public life. However, he still makes still lifes and dog portraits for raffles for charities, which means that he remains extremely popular.

Eerelman dies six years after completing his assignment for the city of Groningen, his wife preceded him in 1921. The couple had no children and after his death his inventory and the many paintings he still owns will be auctioned.


for salepaintings, watercolours and drawings by Otto Eerelman


Otto Eerelman | Dune landscape with a hunter and his dog, oil on panel, 25.3 x 38.5 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • for sale

Dune landscape with a hunter and his dog

Otto Eerelman | A peasant's parade in Oudelande, Zuid-Beveland, oil on canvas, 60.4 x 90.6 cm, signed l.l. and dated 1923

Otto Eerelman

painting • for sale

A peasant's parade in Oudelande, Zuid-Beveland

Otto Eerelman | Hunting dog in a park, oil on canvas, 65.5 x 81.0 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • for sale

Hunting dog in a park

Otto Eerelman | After the ride, pencil, chalk and watercolour on paper, 30.5 x 44.7 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • for sale

After the ride

Otto Eerelman | Working with the logging wheels, chalk on paper, 45.0 x 57.1 cm

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • for sale

Working with the logging wheels


previously for salepaintings, watercolours and drawings by Otto Eerelman


Otto Eerelman | Saint-Bernard pup in his basket, oil on painter's board, 23.8 x 18.8 cm, signed u.l. and dated 1924

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Saint-Bernard pup in his basket

Otto Eerelman | Horse-drawn sleigh in a town, oil on canvas, 60.3 x 90.3 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Horse-drawn sleigh in a town

Otto Eerelman | Saint-Bernard pups, oil on canvas, 90.0 x 130.0 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Saint-Bernard pups

Otto Eerelman | Summer light, oil on canvas laid down on board, 15.9 x 23.4 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Summer light

Otto Eerelman | Portrait of a Saint-Bernard, oil on canvas, 60.4 x 46.0 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Portrait of a Saint-Bernard

Otto Eerelman | Together in the 'sjees', oil on canvas, 80.7 x 60.7 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Together in the 'sjees'

Otto Eerelman | A peasant's parade in Oudeland, Zuid-Beveland, oil on canvas, 60.4 x 90.6 cm, signed l.l. and dated 1923

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A peasant's parade in Oudeland, Zuid-Beveland

Otto Eerelman | An encounter on the way to the market on Walcheren, oil on canvas, 60.5 x 89.9 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

An encounter on the way to the market on Walcheren

Otto Eerelman | Saint-Bernard puppies, oil on canvas, 60.8 x 90.5 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Saint-Bernard puppies

Otto Eerelman | A grey in a stable, oil on canvas, 25.2 x 31.2 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A grey in a stable

Otto Eerelman | A child with fresh bread, oil on canvas, 31.8 x 26.1 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A child with fresh bread

Otto Eerelman | Saint-Bernard pup, oil on painter's board, 23.8 x 18.8 cm, signed u.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Saint-Bernard pup

Otto Eerelman | Puppies playing, oil on canvas laid down on board, 18.8 x 21.5 cm, signed u.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Puppies playing

Otto Eerelman | In the circus, oil on panel, 21.1 x 15.6 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

In the circus

Otto Eerelman | Horse-sleigh ride iin snowy landscape, oil on canvas laid down on board, 52.3 x 80.7 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Horse-sleigh ride iin snowy landscape

Otto Eerelman | The sleigh-ride, oil on canvas, 60.3 x 90.1 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

The sleigh-ride

Otto Eerelman | A flower still life, oil on canvas, 45.1 x 35.3 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A flower still life

Otto Eerelman | A thoroughbred with his groom in the stable, oil on canvas laid down on panel, 35.0 x 52.0 cm

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A thoroughbred with his groom in the stable

Otto Eerelman | Girl with monkey and dog, oil on canvas, 32.1 x 24.6 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Girl with monkey and dog

Otto Eerelman | A portrait of a couple in the dunes near Scheveningen, oil on canvas laid down on panel, 42.0 x 34.2 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A portrait of a couple in the dunes near Scheveningen

Otto Eerelman | Saint-Bernard dog, oil on panel, 24.0 x 15.5 cm, signed l.r. with initials

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Saint-Bernard dog

Otto Eerelman | Portrait of a King Charles Spaniel, oil on canvas, 35.7 x 27.2 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Portrait of a King Charles Spaniel

Otto Eerelman | Romantic encounter, oil on canvas, 45.8 x 70.3 cm, signed l.l. and to be dated after 1887

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Romantic encounter

Otto Eerelman | A Sunday ride, oil on canvas, 47.0 x 31.2 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A Sunday ride

Otto Eerelman | A riding tour on a sunny day, oil on panel, 27.0 x 18.8 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A riding tour on a sunny day

Otto Eerelman | At the fair, Vismarkt, Groningen, oil on paper laid down on panel, 24.6 x 33.8 cm, signed l.l. with initials

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

At the fair, Vismarkt, Groningen

Otto Eerelman | l'Atelier du Peintre, oil on canvas, 131.0 x 171.2 cm, signed l.r. and dated 1893

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

l'Atelier du Peintre

Otto Eerelman | Out for a ride, oil on canvas, 32.3 x 48.3 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Out for a ride

Otto Eerelman | A bichon in a basket, oil on canvas, 34.9 x 27.4 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A bichon in a basket

Otto Eerelman | A Sint-Bernard with children, oil on canvas, 60.2 x 45.0 cm, signed l.r. and dated 1926

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A Sint-Bernard with children

Otto Eerelman | A white poodle, oil on canvas, 33.0 x 25.3 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A white poodle

Otto Eerelman | Saint-Bernard pup, oil on canvas, 30.2 x 24.4 cm, signed u.l. and dated 1925

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Saint-Bernard pup

Otto Eerelman | A grey in a stable, oil on canvas, 24.0 x 29.2 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A grey in a stable

Otto Eerelman | Groninger Park with Saint-Bernard exhibition, oil on canvas laid down on panel, 21.2 x 33.5 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Groninger Park with Saint-Bernard exhibition

Otto Eerelman | Children playing, oil on panel, 40.0 x 30.6 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Children playing

Otto Eerelman | A dog, oil on canvas laid down on painter's board, 35.5 x 29.0 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A dog

Otto Eerelman | A puppy, oil on panel, 27.3 x 21.2 cm, signed u.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

A puppy

Otto Eerelman | Schnautzer, oil on canvas, 31.0 x 21.8 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Schnautzer

Otto Eerelman | St.Bernard with  puppies, oil on canvas, 90.0 x 130.0 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

St.Bernard with puppies

Otto Eerelman | St. Bernhard, oil on canvas

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

St. Bernhard

Otto Eerelman | Circus performer, oil on panel, 44.0 x 67.0 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Circus performer

Otto Eerelman | St.Bernhard puppies, oil on canvas, 45.5 x 35.5 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

St.Bernhard puppies

Otto Eerelman | Gathering wood, oil on canvas, 60.0 x 90.0 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Gathering wood

Otto Eerelman | Two St. Bernhard puppies in a basket, oil on canvas, 29.0 x 44.0 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

Two St. Bernhard puppies in a basket

Otto Eerelman | St. Bernhard puppie in a box, oil on panel, 27.0 x 21.7 cm, signed l.r.

Otto Eerelman

painting • previously for sale

St. Bernhard puppie in a box

Otto Eerelman | Saint Bernard pup, black chalk and watercolour on paper, 24.8 x 17.7 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Saint Bernard pup

Otto Eerelman | Saint-Bernard pups, chalk and watercolour on paper, 22.8 x 32.6 cm, signed l.l. and dated 1902

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Saint-Bernard pups

Otto Eerelman | Buffalo Bill on a Appaloosa horse, watercolour and gouache on paper, 54.3 x 36.9 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Buffalo Bill on a Appaloosa horse

Otto Eerelman | Two horses pulling the plough, near Arnhem, watercolour on paper, 47.6 x 69.6 cm, signed l.r. and painted ca. 1902-1907

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Two horses pulling the plough, near Arnhem

Otto Eerelman | An evening out, watercolour on paper, 36.9 x 54.4 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

An evening out

Otto Eerelman | Three puppies in a basket, watercolour on paper, 36.0 x 53.5 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Three puppies in a basket

Otto Eerelman | Tending to the horses in a courtyard, black chalk, watercolour and gouache on paper, 34.7 x 51.4 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Tending to the horses in a courtyard

Otto Eerelman | Preparing for a ride, pencil, black chalk, watercolour and gouache on paper, 34.8 x 51.9 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Preparing for a ride

Otto Eerelman | Horse-sledge, Haagse Bos, watercolour and gouache on paper, 26.2 x 37.4 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Horse-sledge, Haagse Bos

Otto Eerelman | Circus performers, watercolour on paper, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Circus performers

Otto Eerelman | Puppies with a turtle, watercolour on paper, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

Puppies with a turtle

Otto Eerelman | A terrier, watercolour on paper, 24.0 x 17.0 cm, signed l.l.

Otto Eerelman

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

A terrier


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