The Artistic Journey of Henri van de Velde
Henri van de Velde was a Dutch painter, illustrator, and graphic artist whose creative practice spanned a diverse range of mediums. He was a skilled exlibrist, muralist, etcher, draftsperson, lithographer, watercolorist, and pastellist. His formal training took him from his studies with H.M. Krabbé to further education in Munich, Paris, and Florence. Throughout his life, he resided and worked in various locations, including Amsterdam, Laren, Blaricum, Vreeland, and Abcoude. In 1929, he had his studio-residence, the farm De Zeven Linden in Blaricum, renovated by architect Wouter Hamdorff.
His early subject matter focused on animals, but his work eventually transitioned toward symbolism, particularly through the depiction of mythological and Biblical figures. Van de Velde possessed a profound interest in the technical aspects of painting, researching the chemical composition of pigments used by medieval artists to achieve a realistic touch. He was a member of the art societies St. Lucas and Arti et Amicitiae in Amsterdam.
Notable Works and Historical Context
Among his most significant works is the painting The New Man, which he created between 1933 and 1939. This piece was first exhibited in October 1939 at the Kunstzaal Van Lier in Amsterdam. Following the Second World War, the painting was rediscovered in 2003 through a Belgian art dealer and was subsequently acquired by the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. It was exhibited there in 2007 but was not included in the museum's permanent collection following public discussion.
During the period of the Second World War, Van de Velde produced two specific paintings: The New Man and Angel of Justice (also known as Angel of Vengeance), the latter created in 1942. His involvement with the Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (NSB) led to his arrest and internment in the Laan 1914 camp in Amersfoort shortly after the Liberation. Although he continued to paint and exhibit after his release, he was largely ignored by the art world and forgotten by the general public.
