Jan van Gemert (1921-1991) - Meisje in klederdracht

\Artist: Jan van Gemert (1921-1991)
Technique: Oil on canvas\Signature: Hand signed\Dimensions: 36_30_4_cm
Van Gemert was born as the third of twelve children. His father was an ex-officer and worker in the textile industry. His mother came from a gardener's family. At the age of 13, Van Gemert was involved in an accident, which resulted in his leg being amputated. Three years later he enrolled in a course at the Catholic Workers' Union in Helmond, where he took his exam in 1940. In the same year, he fled from the Arbeitseinsatz and found shelter with Willi Martinali in Deurne. During the war, he took drawing lessons with the portraitist Jacques Stroucken. Van Gemert married and had three children. After the war, he returned to Gemert and had various positions, including as a domestic servant, textile worker, office clerk and cook's assistant. He also received assignments through the Counter-performance Scheme and went with Willi Martinali to schools and community centres to give free Expression courses. In 1952, thanks to the help of the mayor of Gemert, De Bekker, he was able to build a studio and in 1954 he completed his education at the Academy of Industrial Design Eindhoven, where he was taught by Jan Gregoor and Jacques van Rhijn, among others. He was a member of the General Catholic Artists Association.