He lives up to his name, Willy Fleur: practically all the flowers from the flower shop Meijer on Reinkenstraat in The Hague have been painted by this ‘perfectionist’, according to the monograph ‘A Colorful Hague Painter with an Eastern Heart’ (2004). His still lifes boast a wide array of flower species, from lilacs to snowballs and daisies, from anemones to chrysanthemums and gloxinias, from cactuses, lilies, and dahlias to azaleas and geraniums. Many households in The Hague have brought in a never-ending blooming houseplant or bouquet with a one-time purchase. But Johan Willem (Willy) Fleur has also painted tropical birds such as parrots, cockatoos, and parakeets, exotic fish, and Asian bazaars. In addition to these genres inspired by the Far East, he also painted landscapes, winter scenes, harbors (including Scheveningen and Katwijk), and girls wearing Hungarian or traditional Dutch clothing, usually in oil on canvas, sometimes with watercolor or pastel chalk on paper. His vibrant use of colors is often employed by painters from the Far East, as stated in the aforementioned monograph. What is the artist’s connection to the Far East? Both his father and grandfather were administrators in the former Dutch East Indies, and although Willy was born in Markelo (Overijssel), his family background has clearly left a mark on him. He often incorporates Asian elements into his still lifes, such as Japanese imari pots and Chinese dolls, teapots, and jugs. He lived in The Hague from 1912 until his death. He received his education at the Rotterdam Academy of Art and Design, with Huib Luns as his teacher, and subsequently at the Hague Academy. He has been an active member of the Dutch Art Circle in the city since its establishment in 1917 and regularly exhibits there. He has also had exhibitions at the Stedelijk Museum and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, at the Royal Kleykamp Art Gallery, and, quite frequently, at Panorama Mesdag in The Hague.Fleur is known for his consistent quality. His versatility is evident from the fact that he was a not unmeritorious pianist, but also built radios and had a great love for Egyptian literature and was able to decipher hieroglyphs.
www.ftn-books.com has a Willy Fleur publication now available.
