Jan Altink (1885-1971) - Meisje met de rode sjaal

Beautiful portrait of a young girl painted by one of the founders of the Groningen art circle 'De Ploeg'. The painting is bottom-right signed. It has recently been restored by Van Suchtelen van de Haare from Ede and framed in a matching frame with museum glass. It is in excellent condition.

The portrait is painted in oil on board and measures 30x40 cm (w x h).
The work is signed in the lower left corner, however it deviates in style from what in a certain period was characteristic of Altink’s hand.

Jan Altink (1885-1971) – Painter of De Ploeg (The Groningen Group)
Jan Altink was a Dutch painter, known as one of the founders of the De Ploeg art circle. He was born on 21 October 1885 in Groningen and grew into an important figure in the expressionist painting of the North Netherlands.
Early Life and Education
Altink attended the Academy Minerva in Groningen, where he trained in painting. In 1918 he, together with artists such as Johan Dijkstra and Jan Wiegers, founded the artist group De Ploeg. This group sought to bring renewal to the Groningen art world and drew inspiration from Expressionism, Fauvist color usage, and modern techniques.
Characteristics of His Work
Jan Altink was known for his vivid and expressive use of color. He mainly painted the Groningen landscape, cityscapes, and portraits. His style was characterized by dynamic brushwork and a bright, high-contrast color scheme. He is often regarded as the artist who coined the name De Ploeg, referring to the 'reworking' of traditional art.
Later Years and Legacy
After the heyday of De Ploeg in the 1920s, Altink remained active as a painter, but gradually withdrew from the public artistic life. However he remained true to his expressionist style and continued to depict the Groningen landscape. Jan Altink died on 6 December 1971 in his hometown Groningen.
His work is still on display in several museums, including the Groninger Museum, where an extensive collection of De Ploeg artists is preserved. His influence on Dutch painting and his role within De Ploeg make him one of the most important artists of northern expressionism.