FINE 19th and 20th CENTURY BRITISH and EUROPEAN PAINTINGS

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Bernard Pothast

1882 - 1966

Bernard Pothast was born on 30th November, 1882 in Hal, Belgium. He studied painting at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam between 1904 and 1907 and there he was particularly influenced by the artist A. Allebe, who was a professor at the school. Pothast was very much a follower of the Hague School who were the Dutch equivalent of the French Impressionists. He specialised in painting interior scenes with children, often depicting toys and other objects which are of both an historical and artistic interest.

It has been suggested that his models were his wife and children and it is tempting to accept this as true when a likeness of models can be detected throughout his works. The artist's use of light was very special. His figures are often bathed in a warm glowing light which usually emanates from a window and gives and added intimacy to the scene. Pothast died in Laren on 1st February 1966. His paintings continue to be very popular and can be found in private collections throughout the world. View paintings Back to list