The originally Zeeland painter Toon Pluijmers lived in Amsterdam from 1938. Here he first followed the Opleiding Tekenleraren (Drawing Teacher Training). To train as a free artist, he also studied at the Higher Institute of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Pluijmers painted a variety of subjects, such as portraits, landscapes, still lifes, cityscapes and harbour views and marines. He took an active part in the capital's artistic life, as is apparent from his membership of 'De Onafhankelijken', 'De Brug' and 'St. Lucas'. Pluijmers taught at the art department of the Hendrick de Keyserschool in Amsterdam.