Jacob Nieweg - Scots Pine, 1914

Jacob Nieweg (1877-1955)

Scots Pine

Monogrammed lower right 'JN' and dated '1914 Oct.'

Pencil on paper

49 x 49 cm

Framed

Provenance:

Private collection, Leiden.

Condition:

In good condition, lightly yellowed paper.

Additional Information:

Jacob Nieweg (1877-1955) was born in Hogebeintum in Friesland as the son of a minister. After grammar school he studied theology at the University of Groningen, where he received his doctorate in 1905. During his studies Nieweg attended evening drawing classes with Anna van Prooijen and came into contact with the art teacher H.P. Bremmer. Bremmer strongly influenced Nieweg’s ideas about art and introduced him to a deep appreciation of Vincent van Gogh’s work.

Nieweg was a versatile artist, known for landscapes, portraits, town views and especially still lifes. His work, characterised by a keen eye for detail, reflected his respect for nature and life. Bremmer taught him to observe and depict both reality and its spiritual dimension with intensity. His still lifes can be understood as modern variants of vanitas paintings, centred on the cycle of life and death. He taught, among others, Elisabeth Catharina Bergsma and became friends with Jan Adam Zandleven. His works, including many quiet snow landscapes and characteristic portraits, are marked by precision and a profound observation of everyday objects.

Nieweg initially worked as a minister in Ter Apel, Winsum and Spankeren, but in 1914 decided to leave the ministry and devote himself entirely to art. This was the year in which he made the present drawing of a Scots pine, probably on the Veluwe. Nieweg plays with the distribution of the tree mass across the sheet, giving the drawing strong graphic qualities. He moved with his family to Bloemendaal and later, in 1919, to Amersfoort, where he lived until his death. A street in Amersfoort is named after him.

Jakob Nieweg remained faithful to his own style, influenced by Van Gogh while always remaining authentic. His passion for art resulted in an oeuvre combining admiration for detail with spiritual depth. In 2001 a major retrospective of his work was held at Museum Flehite in Amersfoort.