Not much is known about Piet Jabaaij, better known as Pleun. Born in Rotterdam, he studied at the academy there under Aart Glansdorp, J.G. Heijberg (who learned the trade from Kees van Dongen) and the portrait painter Herman Mees. Although he also painted and drew still lifes and landscapes, Jabaaij specialized in portraits, which he painted with a colourful, impressionistic touch. He worked and exhibited in Epe for a while, but left for France in 1959, where he would stay till his death.