Johan Barthold Jongkind was a significant Dutch painter and printmaker, born on June 3, 1819, in Lattrop, Overijssel, Netherlands. He played a pivotal role in the transition to Impressionism with his innovative treatment of light and atmospheric conditions, particularly in marine landscapes and urban scenes.
Jongkind's early education took place at the art academy in The Hague under Andreas Schelfhout, a well-known landscape artist. In 1846, he moved to Paris to study under the marine painter Eugène Isabey. This move was crucial for his artistic development, as it immersed him in the thriving art scene of Paris, where he eventually befriended many French artists.
His painting style is noted for its vigorous brushwork and dramatic use of light and shadow, often capturing the changing effects of weather and light on landscapes and water. Some of his most renowned works include "The Seine and Notre-Dame" (1864) and "The Pont Neuf" (1849-1850), which illustrate his preference for low horizon lines that allow expansive skies to dominate the composition.
Despite experiencing financial difficulties and periods of poor health, Jongkind's work had a substantial influence on the Impressionists. Édouard Manet once referred to him as "the father of modern landscape," and his techniques of painting en plein air (outdoors) and employing broken brushstrokes were foundational for artists like Claude Monet and Alfred Sisley.
In 1878, Jongkind relocated to La Côte-Saint-André in southeastern France, where he spent the rest of his life. He passed away on February 9, 1891, in Saint-Égrève and was buried in the cemetery of La Côte-Saint-André. His paintings continue to be celebrated and are exhibited in prominent museums worldwide, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery in London, and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
In recognition of his contributions to art, a statue of Jongkind was unveiled in 2019 in Duifpolder, Netherlands, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth. This statue highlights his lasting influence on landscape painting and his role in shaping modern art.
We only found one of his paintings of the city of Caen.