The Life and Works of Jan Sirks

Self Portrait, 1918, 35 x 28 cm, from the Jan Sirks website,

maintained by Yosay Briels

Jan Sirks' Expressionist pastel paintings first drew me into the world of this artist.  What really fascinates me, though, is how he tried out so many mediums and art movements.  He went through clear stages of artistic expression, and while each set of works are incredibly distinctive, his paintings in each group are so stylistically different from one another that they may have been made by different artists.

According to art historian Yosay Briels, Jan Sirks was a Dutch artist.  He was born in Rotterdam February 23, 1885.  He loved art and theatre from his early childhood.  He always wanted to be an actor, but found himself experimenting more and more in art.  He went to art school for a short time, but quickly dropped out as he didn't enjoy his instructors' methodologies.  He worked at his family business, the Dutch Iron Railway Company, until he found that he finally took an art studio in 1911.   Sirks was fascinated with etchings and received so many orders for his work that he had to employ a printer.   Sirks was intrigued by spirituality and joined the Theosophical Society.  He also became a volunteer medic with the Dutch Land Brigade, where he became deeply affected by the refugees he encountered.  He fell in love with his model, pianist Hillegonda Mol, and began a life with her in June 1916.  He was soon heavily involved in the avant-garde movement, serving committee roles with The Surf (De Branding) and The Signal (The Bergen School).  The last year of World War I was difficult for him due to a stillborn son.  However, he and his wife soon had three healthy children.  He joined the Acacia Lodge and became a Freemason.  He traveled all over Europe, learning more about his craft along the journey.  He helped establish the Oasis, an organization dedicated to bringing artists, musicians and writers together.  As his life progressed, Sirks became more and more dedicated to social justice.  He was deeply disturbed by Hitler's rise to power and the impact of the Nazi party on his many Jewish friends.  He decided to take solace in nature and moved to Den Dolder, where he passed away on March 11, 1938 (Briels).

Artistic Stages

1903 - 1911           The Hague School

Farm Study, 17 x 25 cm, from the Jan Sirks website,
maintained by Yosay Briels

During this early period, Sirks was influenced by Impressionism and Realism.  He worked in watercolor and also made highly realistic pencil portraits.

1911 - 1915           Etchings

From the Jan Sirks website,maintained by Yosay Briels

Sirks created zinc etchings, mainly inspired by the canals and waterways of his hometown, but also of horses, Hillegonda, and many other subjects.  His style was initially Impressionistic, but became increasingly detailed as he gained practice in this medium.

1916 - 1917               Esoteric Phase

"Vision 2," from the Jan Sirks website,maintained by Yosay Briels

Jan Sirks' works are very reminiscent  of Georgia O'Keeffe in this period.  He would meditate and paint his spiritual visions.  He also began using pastels during this period.

1918 - 1919          Portrait Series / The Surf (De Branding), Bergen School, German     
                             Impressionism, Dutch Luminisme

Self-Portrait, Charcoal, 1918, 21 x 15 cm, from the Jan Sirks website, maintained by Yosay Briels

Sirks became enthralled with Kadinsky's color theory and saw the connection between color and emotions.  He created many self-portraits during this time, focusing mainly on blue and red (see portrait at the top of this blog). This is my favorite Sirks period!

1921 - 1925          Tonal Contrast

Pastel Landscape from the Jan Sirks website, maintained by Yosay Briels

During this period, Sirks was most interested in Japonisme, Expressionism, and color theory (Briels).  He continued experimenting with etchings, landscapes and also added animals into his artwork.  My favorites from this time are his pastel trees.  These were actually the first paintings I noticed from Sirks and the reason I decided to research his life.

1926 - 1938          Change of Palette, Landscapes, Trees, Cityscapes and Mature Phase

From the Jan Sirks website, maintained by Yosay Briels

 Towards the end of his life, Sirks found solace in nature.  He moved to the country and focused on the quiet of nature.  Sirks began favoring greens and earth tones, while still capturing the vibrant beauty of Earth.

Final Thoughts

Jan Sirks' life and works help me understand that art is a journey, that we learn through experimentation, and that we may make dramatic changes in our style over time.  



https://pin.it/opwnxe6yhjnflk

Works Cited

Briels, Yosay. “Jan Sirks Dutch Artist 1885-1938 Realism-Expressionism-Hague School.” Jan Sirks,
      2014, jansirks.net/.


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Favorite Artists

I find that my very favorite artists are all Expressionists born between 1860 and the early 1870s.

James Ensor (Belgium, 1860 - 1849)

"The Intrigue," James Ensor, 1890 oil on canvas

James Ensor's work terrifies me and even gives me nightmares, especially his work on masks.  In addition to Expressionism, he is part of the Surrealist movement.  He tends to favor still life and scenes with masks and skeletons frequent motifs.  His paintings tell strange and comedic stories about identity, self-discovery, deception and death.  

Edvard Munch (Norway, 1860 - 1849)

"Separation," Edvard Munch, 1896 oil on canvas

Munch's powerful use of color, shape, line and distortion always evoke an emotional response for me, but especially the above painting, "Separation."  This painting brings me to tears. 

Emil Nolde (Germany, 1867 - 1956)

"Evening Marsh Landscape," Emil Nolde, 1940 watercolor on thin Japan paper

 I love Emil Nolde's unsettling and intriguing use of color, especially in his watercolor paintings.  He is known for his landscapes and flower paintings, all rather abstract and considered too modern for his time.

Emily Carr (Canada, 1871 - 1945)

"Odds and Ends," Emily Carr, 1939 oil on canvas

 Emily Carr is perhaps the most celebrated Canadian artist.  Her greatest inspiration was nature and the native culture of the Pacific Northwest.  I am intrigued by her use of shape, line and light to convey the spiritual aspect of nature.