Kees Verwey (1900-1995) is considered one of the greatest Dutch impressionists of the 20th century. His work, however, cannot be imagined without that of the eccentric painter Henri Frédéric Boot (1877-1963). Kees Verwey was born in Amsterdam, but worked in Haarlem for the better part of his career. In 1926, he enrolled at Boot’s studio, in order to master the art of painting. It would prove a difficult apprenticeship as Boot was extremely demanding and rather radical in his views. According to Boot, the artist should be poor and avoid any form of social success. Looking back, Verwey described his period with Boot as ‘the most awful and at the same time most exhilarating time in my life. My stay with him taught me how to endure the hardships that life holds in store.’ On the other hand, Verwey also saw his student years as ‘a time that included a considerable portion of my experiences of happiness.’