Jan Nieuwenhus

Amsterdam 1922 - 1986 Recto: Figures Verso: Figures Mixed media, 19 x 25 cm. N.B. Jan Nieuwenhuijs is probably the least known member of the CoBrA group. Together with his brother Constant he was one of the founding members of the Experimentele Groep, also including artist as Appel, Elburg, Kouwenaar, Wolvecamp, Corneille, Constant, Brands en Rooskens. Several months later this group was incorporated in CoBrA. In this period Jan Neuwenhuijs was influenced by the world of dreams, childrens' drawings, 'primitive' art and expressions of the mentally retarded. Jan was quickly dissapointed in CoBrA. Some members seemed more interested in fame than in 'action'. Ook de onderlinge rivaliteit binnen CoBrA ergerde hem en dus verliet hij de beweging al in 1949. In een interview uit 1964 zei Jan Nieuwenhuijs: 'De groep (CoBrA) was niet opgericht om samen tentoon te stellen maar om gezamenlijk actie te voeren. We wilden vechten tegen de weeë kunst uit die tijd en onze geestkracht inzetten om die te veranderen. Tot mijn spijt heb ik moeten constateren dat een boel Experimentelen esthetici geworden zijn. Alle wat 'officieel' geworden is, is niet meer strijdbaar'

Jan Nieuwenhuys (1922-1986) Body and Soul 1979 signed and dated 79 mixed media and collage on paper 50 by 70 cm. 19 11/16 by 27 9/16 in. Provenance Henk van der Kamp, Netherlands Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 2011

MEASUREMENTS 49 by 40 cm. signed and dated 48 oil, gouache, watercolour and ink on paper

Signed, titled and dated 1958 verso

Signed and dated '74 Gouache and collage, 49,5 x 70 cm.