In March 2019, the Frans Hals Museum officially became the proud owner of approximately seventy oil paintings by the Haarlem-born painter Jacobus van Looy (1855 – 1930). The museum already acted as custodian of the artworks, but the Jacobus van Looy Foundation has now officially donated the collection. This acquisition forms a substantial enrichment of the museum’s collection.

Seven of his children’s paintings in combination with a self-portrait will be on view until 1 December in ‘The Best Room’. This room shows a variable presentation of new acquisitions. Earlier this year we presented a selection of works which are support by the Rembrandt Society.

Before the Frans Hals Museum was opened at the Groot Heiligland in 1913, it housed the Civic Orphanage. Jacobus van Looy grew up in this building from the age of five. After working as a letterpress student and as a carriage painter’s apprentice, Van Looy went to the Rijksakademie voor Beeldende Kunsten (National Academy of Visual Arts) in Amsterdam, after which he developed a special double talent as a writer and painter.

Van Looy’s painted oeuvre consists of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, interiors and cityscapes. His main source of inspiration were the seemingly everyday things of life. Van Looy: ‘The main, but nonetheless difficult trick is to hold on to one’s impressions, regardless of whether they come from within or from outside. To be able to labour on these momentary impressions for years and years.’

Now extended until 1 December