A statue of Johan Jongkind, unveiled in the Duifpolder in 2019, marks the bicentennial of an artist who fundamentally altered the perception of landscape painting. Born in Lattrop in 1819, he bridged the gap between the Dutch masters of the Golden Age and the emerging Impressionist movement, leaving behind a body of work defined by atmospheric light and rapid, vigorous execution.
Artistic Foundations and Education
Jongkind refined his technical skills at the Haagsche Teekenacademie. His early education in the Netherlands provided him with a structural understanding of light and composition. After relocating to Paris in 1846, he expanded his practice under the tutelage of Eugène Isabey and François-Édouard Picot. His efforts were eventually recognized with the Royal Prize for Painting, confirming his standing within the broader European art scene.
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By the 1860s, Jongkind had become a vital figure in the evolution of modern art. During regular visits to Normandy, he befriended Eugène Boudin and mentored Claude Monet, who credited the Dutchman with providing the definitive education of his eye. Despite this significant influence and his inclusion in the first Salon des Refusés in 1863, Jongkind famously declined an invitation to participate in the landmark 1874 Impressionist exhibition.
Technique and Subject Matter
His compositions consistently favored the marine landscape, with a signature reliance on low horizons that allowed the sky to dominate the canvas. By utilizing outdoor watercolor sketches as foundations for studio-produced oils, he achieved a spontaneity that mirrored the movement of water and light. Major works such as Winter landscape with Skaters, Overschie bij maneschijn, and Rotterdam in the Moonlight exemplify his use of sharp contrasts.
Final Years
In 1878, Jongkind moved to La Côte-Saint-André with his companion Joséphine Fesser. He spent his final years in the Isère département of southeastern France, far from the artistic centers of Paris and Rotterdam. He died in 1891 in Saint-Égrève and was interred at the cemetery in La Côte-Saint-André. Today, his legacy is maintained through dedicated streets in locations like Amsterdam, Deventer, and Grenoble.
Fast facts
- Born: 1819, Lattrop
- Died: 1891, La Côte-Saint-André
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Primary occupations: painter, printmaker, watercolorist
- Education: Haagsche Teekenacademie
- Key award: Royal Prize for Painting
- Notable influence: Claude Monet
- Major subject: Marine landscapes
Questions readers ask
Was Jongkind an official Impressionist?
He is considered a forerunner of the movement and was invited to the 1874 First Impressionist Exhibition, but he declined to participate.
Where can his works be viewed today?
His art is held in various global institutions, including the Rijksmuseum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Petit Palais, and the National Gallery in London.
Achievements
- Royal Prize for Painting
- Notable work: Overschie bij maneschijn
- Notable work: Rotterdam in the Moonlight
- Notable work: Winter landscape with Skaters
