Jan Martens

Who is Jan Martens?

Jan Martens is a Dutch painter.

Jan Martens studied at the Academy of Visual Arts under the direction of Kees Bol, among others, and at the Jan van Eyck Academy. In the time between the two schooling periods, he made his living as a graphic designer and silkscreen printer. The second degree developed his fine arts skills, and he specialized in painting and sculpture. While a student, Martens spent time travelling abroad and so became acquainted with classical Greece, Islamic Morocco and classical Italy.

Marten’s first artistic period was marked by Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, producing “Mechanical Landscapes”, but also works inspired by Classical culture, such as "Il Ritorno d’Úlise". Even at that time, his painting demonstrated his characteristically baroque use of colors, in combination with transparent layers. A second is deemed by some more mature. Kimonos, fans, and oriental motifs spread all over the canvas reflected his fascination for the East, especially Japan. The last works in this series are called “Magiciens de la Terre”, “Athmospheric Phenomena”, and “The Protecting Veil.”