Jan te Wierik (1954-2002) - Krokodil
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Jan te Wierik (1954–2002) created an original gouache titled Krokodil in 1980, depicting an abstract animal figure in bright colours, 64 by 52 cm, sold with frame and signed, originating from the Netherlands.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Jan te Wierik (1954–2002) was a Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet, originating from Hengelo (Overijssel).
As a self-taught artist, he earned broad recognition for his expressive, colorful style and his uncompromising dedication to art. His work, often populated by human and animal figures, breathes intensity, emotion, and vitality.
Key facts
Born: March 17, 1954, Hengelo (Ov.)
Died: August 24, 2002, Haaksbergen
Education: Self-taught, rejected twice by the Enschede Art Academy
Discipline: Painter, sculptor, poet, musician
Style: Bright primary colors, expressive forms, existential themes
Life and background
Te Wierik grew up in Haaksbergen and later worked in Rekken (Gelderland). He began as a sculptor but, due to health problems, turned to painting. Despite commercial success, he remained a nonconformist and lived modestly, often generous with his work and income.
Artistic style and themes
His paintings combine primary colors with calm backgrounds, in which figures — human or animal — convey emotional connection and estrangement. Mixed media with acrylic, pigments, and gloss medium gave his work depth and texture. The subjects range from combative beings to tender relationships, always without resignation or stagnation. Critics compare his expressiveness to the Cobra movement, but Te Wierik regarded himself as an outsider with his own universe.
Recognition and legacy
His work was exhibited in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. Gallery owners in Ootmarsum promoted his work internationally, and in later years local initiatives organized exhibitions and tributes, including the naming of the Jan te Wierikstraat in Haaksbergen. The Jan te Wierik Foundation preserves and manages his legacy and continues to bring his oeuvre to public attention.
The work “Crocodile”
Te Wierik painted several animal figures, including a work titled Crocodile. As is often the case with him, the animal is not a literal portrayal but a symbolic figure.
Possible meaning
For Te Wierik, a crocodile often symbolizes:
- primal force and instinct
- threat or aggression
- the will to survive
- the unconscious
The crocodile is usually portrayed powerfully and head-on, with emphasis on the jaws and teeth — reinforcing its raw and primitive character.
Jan te Wierik (1954–2002) was a Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet, originating from Hengelo (Overijssel).
As a self-taught artist, he earned broad recognition for his expressive, colorful style and his uncompromising dedication to art. His work, often populated by human and animal figures, breathes intensity, emotion, and vitality.
Key facts
Born: March 17, 1954, Hengelo (Ov.)
Died: August 24, 2002, Haaksbergen
Education: Self-taught, rejected twice by the Enschede Art Academy
Discipline: Painter, sculptor, poet, musician
Style: Bright primary colors, expressive forms, existential themes
Life and background
Te Wierik grew up in Haaksbergen and later worked in Rekken (Gelderland). He began as a sculptor but, due to health problems, turned to painting. Despite commercial success, he remained a nonconformist and lived modestly, often generous with his work and income.
Artistic style and themes
His paintings combine primary colors with calm backgrounds, in which figures — human or animal — convey emotional connection and estrangement. Mixed media with acrylic, pigments, and gloss medium gave his work depth and texture. The subjects range from combative beings to tender relationships, always without resignation or stagnation. Critics compare his expressiveness to the Cobra movement, but Te Wierik regarded himself as an outsider with his own universe.
Recognition and legacy
His work was exhibited in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. Gallery owners in Ootmarsum promoted his work internationally, and in later years local initiatives organized exhibitions and tributes, including the naming of the Jan te Wierikstraat in Haaksbergen. The Jan te Wierik Foundation preserves and manages his legacy and continues to bring his oeuvre to public attention.
The work “Crocodile”
Te Wierik painted several animal figures, including a work titled Crocodile. As is often the case with him, the animal is not a literal portrayal but a symbolic figure.
Possible meaning
For Te Wierik, a crocodile often symbolizes:
- primal force and instinct
- threat or aggression
- the will to survive
- the unconscious
The crocodile is usually portrayed powerfully and head-on, with emphasis on the jaws and teeth — reinforcing its raw and primitive character.
Details
Artist
Jan te Wierik (1954-2002)
Sold with frame
Yes
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
Krokodil
Technique
Gouache
Signature
Signed
Country of Origin
Netherlands
Year
1980
Condition
Good condition
Colour
Multicolour
Height
64 cm
Width
52 cm
Depiction/Theme
Animals
Style
Abstract
Period
1980-1990
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