The catalogue numbering system that identified Vincent van Gogh's paintings with the prefix "JH" was established by Jan Hulsker, a scholar whose research fundamentally altered the understanding of the Dutch master. Throughout his career, he shifted focus from Dutch literature to the rigorous analysis of Van Gogh's correspondence and works, leaving an indelible mark on art history.
Early Career and Education
Born in The Hague in 1907, Hulsker completed his formal education at Leiden University. His early academic focus was on Dutch literature, culminating in a doctoral thesis regarding the author Aart van der Leeuw. This linguistic foundation preceded his professional shift toward administrative and art historical pursuits within the Netherlands.
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By 1953, he held an appointment within the department responsible for the arts, eventually rising to the position of general director in charge of culture in 1959. During this tenure, he facilitated the creation of the Vincent van Gogh Foundation. This administrative groundwork was critical to the successful establishment of the Van Gogh Museum located in Amsterdam.
Van Gogh Research and Cataloguing
Beginning in the 1950s, Hulsker concentrated on the dating of Van Gogh's letters and the authentication of his paintings. He published the study "Van Gogh door Van Gogh" in 1973. His definitive catalogue raisonné, first released in 1977 and subsequently updated in 1984 and 1996, provided a new standard for identifying individual works, such as the 1889 painting The Starry Night, listed as JH1731. He explicitly cautioned the art world regarding the prevalence of forgeries.
Later Years and Publications
In addition to his catalogues, he authored "The Complete Van Gogh" in 1980 and a dual biography titled "Vincent and Theo van Gogh," published in 1990. During the 1980s, he relocated from the Netherlands to Vancouver, Canada. He received the Zilveren Anjer in 1987 and the Akademiepenning in 1989 before his death in 2002 at the age of 95.
Fast facts
- Born: 1907, The Hague
- Died: 2002, Vancouver
- Education: Leiden University
- Notable contribution: JH catalogue raisonné for Van Gogh
- Award: Zilveren Anjer (1987)
- Award: Akademiepenning (1989)
- Occupations: writer, historian, art historian
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Questions readers ask
What does the JH prefix mean in Van Gogh catalogues?
It indicates that the work was catalogued by Jan Hulsker in his accepted catalogue raisonné.
Where did Jan Hulsker spend his final years?
He settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, during the 1980s.
