Jan van der Zee artwork • painting • previously for sale The Reitdiep, Groningen; on the reverse: The Paterswolde Lake

Jan van der Zee is one of the most talented painters of the Groninger Ploeg. In 1923, when he became a member of this artists' association, he painted geometric-abstract compositions for some time. In 1926 due to the negative criticism, he switched to painting landscapes, portraits and still lifes in Groningen. This can best be described as earthy: they are powerful, strong in structure and painted in a sturdy, expressionist brush stroke. Often there is a clear focus on the structure in the landscape and the rhythm of successive shapes and surfaces. It is therefore not surprising that the work of the painter became increasingly abstract in the 1950s.