The Life and Art of Kees Bol
Born in Oegstgeest, Kees Bol began his professional life as a florist before moving to Eindhoven in 1935, where he held corporate positions at Philips and Bata Shoes. During the second world war, he transitioned to the world of art, studying under Jan Heesters and later at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague with Paul Citroen, Han van Dam, and Henk Meijer. In 1947, he relocated to Tongelre, Eindhoven, where he worked as a painter and served as a teacher at the Design Academy Eindhoven, an institution he helped establish. He later moved to Heusden in 1970 and spent significant time painting in France, particularly in Lozère.
Bol's artistic output encompassed landscapes, portraits, and still life paintings. His style is characterized as figurative and expressive, noted for a specific feeling for tonal quality. His contributions to the arts were recognized through several honors, including the Thérèse van Duyl-Schwartze Prize in 1950 and being named a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 1982. His legacy includes the education of numerous students and the artistic achievements of his sons, Henri and Peter.
