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Wim Schuhmacher


1894-1986

Bio

Wim (Wytze Gerrit Carel) Schuhmacher is born in Amsterdam in 1894. Initially he works as a house and decorative painter, but from 1913 he focuses on fine art. In his first years, he is influenced by the work of Toorop, Van Gogh and Breitner. Also important for Schuhmacher’s artistic development is his introduction to the expressionists of the Bergen School. Around 1924, he releases himself from their influence. He develops his own style, which is classified as magic realism. He makes a name for himself with his extremely refined technique, without visible ‘key’, but especially with his special grey tones, which earns him the epithet ‘Master of the grey’. Less known is that, apart from painting, he designs furniture and sets for plays.
Schuhmacher travels a lot through Southern Europe, where he finds many of his motifs. He perfects his discoloured world in San Gimignano, Italy, where the light seems to come from everywhere and nowhere.
A diminishing sight in the last phase of his life, makes painting impossible. He eventually dies in 1986.

portret Schuhmacher bij biografie
photo Jac. de Nijs (1964)
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