Famous Dutch Painters from Dordrecht, Ancient Capital of Holland

Part 15

38. Cor Noltee
39. Pietss Ouborg
40. Joris Ponse

Dordrecht is not only known as the oldest city and ancient capital of Holland but also for the many famous painters who were born or lived in Dordrecht during the late Middle ages and later centuries.

The most famous painters from Dordrecht were :

Abraham Bloemaert, Ferdinand Bol, Abraham van Calreat, Albaert, Benjamin Gerritz and Jacob Gerritz CUYP, Pietsser Fontijn, Aert de Gelder, Samuel van Hoogstraten, Arnold Houbraken, Willem de Klerk, Frans Lebret, Jacobus Leveck, Nicolaes Maes, Ary Scheffer, Aert and Martinus Schouman, Abraham van Strij, Jan Veth and many, many others.

On the next pages you can find many works from these famous painters who were responsible for many styles of paintings and they immortalized the daily life and landscapes in the 15th to 19th century. Most of their masterpieces are nowadays part of collections in museums all over the world and of which many can be seen in the local Dordrechts Museum.

Cor Noltee

Den Haag 1903 - Dordrecht 1967

Berardus Cornelis Noltee was born in Den Haag, and lived and worked successively in The Hague, Rotterdam, Bruges and from 1937 in Dordrecht. He was a pupil at the Academy of Den Haag and the Academy Julian in Paris and pupil of J.J. van Jole, Henk van Leeuwen and Willem de Zwart. Noltee was focused and was influenced by Willem de Zwart (1862-1931). In 1937 he settled definitively in Dordrecht, where he was a known figure, both through work and through a his "bohemian" appierence.

Noltee was the basis of a local revival of impressionism. He was known as "the Dordtse Breitner"', because of its relationship with painting styles and subjects. Mostly, he painted the old town and the river landscape in the area. Around 1961 Noltee choices another direction. His last works had a strong expressionistic character.

Building-pit at the Boombrug in Dordrecht Cor Noltee Oil on canvas 74,5 x 95,3 cm Dordrechts Museum

Self portrait with sigaret Cor Noltee Oil on canvas 71 x 51 cm Dordrechts Museum

At the Wantij stream in winter at Dordrecht Cor Noltee Oil on canvas 30 x 40 cm Dordrechts Museum

Landscape at the Spieringsluice on the island of Dordrecht Cor Noltee Oil on canvas 25,4 x 45,9 cm Dordrechts Museum   A sluice against a background of farm barns and haystack. The Spiering-sluice as it is called, is situated in the Biesbosch derives its name from the nearby Spiering Polder. The canvas is painted in the style of the Dutch impressionism, a process that Noltee almost his entire life remained faithful. This landscape is in its color palette a relatively early work. Later, he would paint more in nature colors, dark brown and gray.

Interior of a farm Cor Noltee Oil on canvas 50 x 80 cm Private collection

At the Merwe stream Cor Noltee Oil on canvas 30 x 40 cm Private collection

Landscape with farmer Cor Noltee Oil on canvas 40,5 x 60,5 cm Private collection

On the outskirts of Klundert Cor Noltee oil on canvas 50 x 70 cm Private collection

An Autumn day along a canal, Amsterdam Cor Noltee oil on canvas 60 x 90 cm Private collection

Pulling a heavy load, Rotterdam Cor Noltee oil on canvas 60.5 x 100.5 cm Private collection

A horse carriage in the busy harbour of Rotterdam Cor Noltee oil on canvas 93 x 72.5 cm Private collection

A gipsy camp Cor Noltee oil on canvas 60.5 x 100.5 cm Private collection

Horse-drawn carts on a quay, the Maasbrug in the background Cor Noltee oil on canvas 60 x 90 cm Private collection

The Reguliersbreestraat with the Munt in the distance, Amsterdam Cor Noltee, 1926 oil on canvas 101 x 81 cm Private collection

A busy shopping street Cor Noltee oil on canvas 50 x 34.5 cm Private collection

Ploughing the land at Heeze Cor Noltee oil on canvas 35.5 x 50.5 cm Private collection

A sunny afternoon Cor Noltee oil on board 30 x 40 cm Private collection

Chrysanthemums in a vase Cor Noltee oil on board 41 x 29.5 cm Private collection

Shipping on a Dutch river Cor Noltee oil on canvas 40.5 x 60.5 cm Private collection

City view of Dordrecht Cor Noltee oil on canvas 50 x 70 cm Private collection

Summer in the park Cor Noltee oil on canvas laid down on plywood 31.5 x 39 cm Private collection

Numerous figures in a street in a city Cor Noltee oil on burlap 70 x 60 cm Private collection

Figures in a street Cor Noltee oil on canvas 40 x 30.5 cm Private collection

A self-portrait Cor Noltee, 1951 oil on canvas 40 x 30 cm Private collection   Inscribed "geschilderd in atelier van brinkman at vlaardingen on the stretcher"

Moored barges and men in rowing-boats on the Merwede, Dordrecht Cor Noltee oil on canvas, unframed 55 x 90 cm Private collection

Pietss Ouborg

Dordrecht 1893 - Den Haag 1956

Pietss Ouborg worked from 1916 to 1938 as a teacher and drawing teacher in the Dutch East Indies. Thence he followed closely the developments in European art. At the same time, the exotic Indian environment had a deep impression on him. Even before the Second World War Ouborg created a remarkable body of work with a very personal, surreal character. He was more influenced by the Spanish painter Joan Miró (1893-1983). His post-war work ended with the image of the COBRA movement, of which he not wanted to be a member. In 1947 he belonged to the Hague group of artists csalled "free image", even as William Hussem.

Ouborg's isolation and modesty stood in the way for his recognition in the 1940s. Moreover, he destroyed in that time much work. After the war he received more publicity, but not always in a positive sense. In 1950 the artist received the Jacob Maris Prize for his drawing Father and son - an award which caused great indignation.

Farewell Pietss Ouborg, 1931 Oil on carton 27,2 x 32,8 cm Dordrechts Museum

The Ram Pietss Ouborg, 1934 Oil on canvas 65,7 x 80,8 cm Dordrechts Museum

Limestone and bamboo roots Pietss Ouborg Oil on canvas on board 55,7 x 71 cm Dordrechts Museum   In Ouborg's paintings from the late 1930s figurative motifs are the starting point. He joined them together with abstract, organic forms. In the mysterious light compositions played an important role. In contrast to a contemporary as Dick Ket, who tried to imitate reality in detail, Ouborg opted for a surreal view, which works very alienating.

The altar Pietss Ouborg, 1939 Oil on canvas 51,5 x 65,5 cm Dordrechts Museum

Temple of dead Pietss Ouborg, 1940/45 gouache 36,3 x 50,7 cm Dordrechts Museum

Expelling Pietss Ouborg, 1952 Oil on canvas 75,2 x 105,2 cm Dordrechts Museum

Vision Pietss Ouborg, 1954 Oil on canvas 90,2 x 115,2 cm Dordrechts Museum

Figure in circle Pietss Ouborg, 1947/55 Oil on canvas 75 x 73 cm Dordrechts Museum

Two standing women on the reverse Pietsser Ouborg oil on canvas 57 x 43 cm Private collection

Abstract Pietss Ouborg, 1947 Oil on canvas 40 x 50 cm Private collection

Symbols to eternity Pietss Ouborg, 1955 Oil on canvas 90 x 103 cm Private collection

Portrait of a girl Pietss Ouborg oil on canvas laid down on cardboard 38.5 x 26 cm Private collection

Untitled Pietss Ouborg, 1947 Pen and black ink, gouache and collage on paper 10 x 15 cm Private collection

Composition Pietsser Ouborg, 1949 gouache and sand on paper 27 x 40 cm Private collection

Joris Ponse

Dordrecht 1723 - Dordrecht 1783

Ponse taught all subjects and was a pupil of Aert Schouman. After seeing the paintings collection of the famous Dordrecht collector Johan van der Linden of Slingeland he decided to become a painter. He opened a studio where diverse painting was made, as usual at that time. Ponse was much demanded artist. He mainly painted birds, flowers and fruits, was remarkably good at reproducing textures, such as the fur of a dead hare.

The number of works that we know of Ponse is small and his work rarely appears in art auxions. Not only because of his own paintings Ponse is important for the Dordrecht art of painting, but also as a teacher of a new generation of painters which included Abraham van Strij and Willem van Leen.

Flower Still life with dead hare Joris Ponse Oil on panel 93,5 x 77 cm Dordrechts museum

Still life with Rose and other flowers Joris Ponse, 1776 Aquarelle 22 x 18 cm Private collection

Next : Famous painters from Dordrecht, Part 16