The Life of Joop J.H. van Leeuwen as a Painter
Joop J.H. van Leeuwen was born in 1962 under the Haagse Toren in The Hague. His passion for painting began at a young age, albeit in an unorthodox manner: using his sister’s makeup brushes. His early creations quickly stood out, and from that moment on, he knew that art was his calling.
During his school years, he visited The Hague’s museums almost daily, such as the Mauritshuis and the Hague Municipal Museum. There, he studied the works of the old masters, copied their paintings, and compared his results to the originals. His perfectionism drove him to make continuous adjustments until he was satisfied. In addition to his practical exercises, he devoured books on painting, driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge and technique.
Although he started as a self-taught artist, he decided in 1981 to take the entrance exam for the Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague. He succeeded, and his talent was immediately recognized. During his academy years (1981-1984), he began painting and exhibiting independently. Art dealers such as Stahlecker and Wagenaar regularly acquired his work. His first impressionistic beach scenes date from this period, and in 1982, one of his works, Along the Coast, was auctioned. This marked the beginning of his career as one of the first post-war beach scene painters.
A notable work from his early period is The Balloon Man on the Beach, which was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 1999 for a considerable sum. His first retrospective exhibition took place in 1987 and was a great success: all works were sold within a day. His popularity grew, and renowned galleries showcased his work. Additionally, he acted as an advisor for collectors, and his paintings were sold through Christie's and Sotheby’s.
However, with increasing success came challenges. His work began appearing in the market with forged signatures, often attributed to painters with a similar style. These fraudulent practices, along with the lack of strict regulations regarding forgeries in the Netherlands, deeply affected him. In 1993, he decided to withdraw from the art world—a difficult period for both him and his family.
His return to art took place in the early 2000s, thanks in part to Rotterdam businessman Bennie Gans. Gans’ admiration and support encouraged Van Leeuwen to pick up the brush once more. In 2005, Galerie Hoopman in Amsterdam organized a retrospective exhibition of his beach scenes, followed by new challenges, such as a commission from Museum Rockart. For them, he painted portraits of twelve iconic Dutch pop musicians, including Anouk, Herman Brood, and André Hazes.
His work continued to evolve. In addition to beach scenes, he added new subjects to his oeuvre, such as foxes, pheasants, and monkeys. Moreover, he established his own restoration studio, and together with his wife, he buys and sells artworks from renowned painters on a modest scale.
Today, his name is mentioned in various national and international art lexicons, including the Quick-Lexicon by H. Visser, Aktuele Kunst 2002 by P.M.J.E. Jacobs, and the American Davenport’s Art Reference & Price Guide.
His paintings remain highly sought after and frequently appear at auctions. The demand for his works continues to rise, and he takes great satisfaction in seeing his art find its way to admirers and collectors worldwide.
Unfortunately, JJH van Leeuwen has been chronically ill since 2017, and his work is managed by his son, Rembrandt van Leeuwen.
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