
A true artist is capable of reinventing themselves, exploring paths that breathe new life into their artistic expression. Herman Bogman (1890-1975) did just that. His career can be neatly divided into two distinct parts. The young Bogman painted in oil, but around his fiftieth year, he boldly abandoned the medium. For the remaining 35 years of his life, he produced almost exclusively watercolor paintings. This is where his true mastery lies. While his oil paintings were skillfully crafted pieces that attracted eager buyers, his watercolors were on a much higher level. They were boldly painted, with a sparkling play of light, and in a subtle palette. The smaller pieces possess a great deal of intimacy, while the larger compositions are boldly composed.
Bogman frequently discussed his new beginning in interviews:
“You simply didn’t know what could be achieved with watercolor. It wasn’t until I turned fifty that I permanently closed my paint box. Watercolor can have the same ‘carrying ability’, the same depth of color as paint on canvas. But I had to work very hard for it. Why were we so attached to oil paint in the Netherlands? I believe it’s because of our thoroughness. We were completely mistaken…”
And that feeling was correct. In the last 35 years of his life, he would create the most beautiful part of his body of work using this technique.
www.ftn-books.com has currently 2 Bogman titles available.

