Theodorus (Dorus) Arts (Hernen, Nijmegen, May 25, 1901 - Montreal (Canada), April 8, 1961) was a Dutch painter. biography
Dorus Arts was born in a poor farmer's family. During his school years, the family moved to Nijmegen to start a milk shop there. His talent was discovered young, but his family lacked resources to give him a targeted education as a painter. In 1916 his father reported to him as a student at the painting department of the Crafts School in Nijmegen. His drawing teacher Van Hooydonk brought him in contact with painters in the Nijmegen region. In 1924, he became a member of the Nijmeeg art circle "In Consten Eén", which later went under the name of Nijmeeg's Society of Fine Arts. Through this art circle he learned, among other things, the painters Toorop, Hamilton-Falise, Lücker, Van Mourik and Hammes. The members of the art circle had the opportunity to exhibit in the Waaggebouw and in this monumental space there was regular work of Doctor. He made his name with his beautiful landscapes he painted in Gelderland, Limburg and Brabant. Its dreadful skies, dragging friends, fiery trees and sunlit country roads show a tranquil atmosphere. Particularly striking and unique are the mysterious landscapes of moonlight. He felt intimately connected with the nature of his birthplace. The landscape is the main theme of his work. From 1928, Doctor also graduated in figurative and portrait studies and received assignments for the production of portraits.
Dorus Arts married in 1929 with W. Maria Mijling. Out of marriage seven children were born. Although he was very productive as a painter, he did not financially pay him for the wind in the 30's. In the years of World War II, the family physician hardly managed to keep the head above water. Slowly but surely plans were made to make overseas a new start. Dutch scenes in the style of The Hague School were very popular abroad in the early 1950s. In the work of Dorus Arts, traders recognized this style. After his eldest son Marcus had left them, Dorus and Mien Arts emigrated with the other children to Canada in 1955. The first years went smoothly. His sons built a studio in Montreal at their house overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. In his work from that period, homesickness to the Netherlands, especially the friends, polders, hills and forests around Nijmegen, continues. Due to worsening health (swollen joints and rheumatic fever), its workload decreases. He died of the effects of cerebral hemorrhage. After his death
The Municipal Museum of Nijmegen organized a memorial exhibition about Dorus Arts's work in 1971, ten years after his death.
At the initiative of the (Nijmeeg) Foundation Kohesie Kunstbehoud, a documentary film about life Dorus Arts was established in 1999, as well as the publication Dorus Arts, Silence as happiness.
On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of Dorus Arts, the Foundation Kohesie Kunstbehoud organized a memorial exhibition together with Museum Kasteel van Wijchen in this museum from 9 November 2001 until 6 January 2002.
Works by Dorus Doctor are included in the collections of:
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