WILLEM SCHROFER (1898 - 1968) - Non-conformist Painter
by Art Historian Elsje Drewes
(video in nederlands)
(video in nederlands)
Willem Schrofer was a socially conscious artist who believed art could heal the ailments of society. Inspired by the Constructivists, Bauhaus, Abstractionists, Cubists, and their Socialistic motivated activism, Schrofer experimented fervently in various styles throughout his lifetime. The political and economic turmoil that Stalin brought upon Russia, discouraged Schrofer's ambition to pursue these socio-political artistic movements that had no relevant significance in The Netherlands.
Schrofer's post WWII compositions used bold bright colors with abstracted surfaces. He developed a cartoon-ish portrait style that earned him local notoriety, which earned him commissions from politicians, writers, theologians, and fellow artists. The Literature Museum in The Hague exhibits several of his portraits, the Podiumredactie (see below) being one of the most imposing. In this group's portrait, the mid-century Dutch literary talents were portrayed: Remco Campert, Jan Hofland, Gerrit Borgers, Sybren Polet, Han Lammers and Gerrit Kouwenaar, now all Dutch cultural icons. Schrofer was a beloved teacher at the Royal Dutch Art Academy, where he shared his extensive knowledge of mixing pigments and oils as well as history, politics, social activism. His protégés include many of Holland's most respected artists: Peter Struycken, Henk Peeters, Matthijs Röeling, Herman Berserik, Co Westerik.
