Hans Hartman (1963 – 2019)

Visitors of the threshold of Hans Hartman’s studio on the first floor of the Hoornbrekerstraat are called to a halt for a moment. A warm welcome by Hans invites the first curious person to take some steps forward, meanwhile the rear of the group is catching a glimpse of his impressive domain. Bright colours and substances of wet and dry paint on walls, ceiling, paper, pallet and the floor even on his painting clothes. The overpowering sight the amount of painted compositions commands everyone’s attention. On the easel the next piece on paper or canvas, usually “28 x 39 inches” parades. The industrious painter however always takes time for a new admirer, who in return has to immortalize that moment with a short entry in his guestbook.

This scene has repeated itself countless times. By now Hans greets the newcomer with a mixture of genuine hospitality and experienced routine. However he always succeeds in drawing everyone’s attention to himself and the painting. In this he is sincere and feels happy. A solitary, passionate painter and diligent worker, who asks for little more than paint and canvas and who permits outsiders to step into his world, albeit only to a limited extent.

At an early age Hans started his creative career, as a young artist with the “Maatwerk” theatre group in 1986. He loved being creative and five years later moved to work at the new Studio Herenplaats. During a day working with painter / musician Herman Brood Hans, a self-willed, unique and passionate artist, Hans was left very inspired.  Herman was an artist who appealed to Hans’ passion, uniqueness and his zest for work, in spite of the fact that Hans tired easily due to bad functioning valves of the heart. After a successful heart operation he revealed himself to a tireless painter, who  dedicated his work for a long time to his promise to God, his pillar in that difficult period in the hospital. Nearly each day Hans produces a painting in his studio, but it makes him even happier whenever he is able to make a monumental piece of art on a columns or a wall of an institute or a public building. The attention he draws from  admirers makes him genuinely glad and gives him confirm that he took the right path, proving him to be a great painter. His paintings seem monumental, not only on pillars, walls and ceilings, but breathe in general the same grandeur of the old masters of the Renaissance or the 17^th century. Modest strict compositions or elaborate baroque images are translated in his own quick handwriting and according to his own view in coal on paper or canvas. Details may enlarged  and large forms or themes can be sent to the background. During the painting process, with an original bold colour pallet, theme and detail may again change roles. Hans does not allow himself a long time to critically reflect on his work. It seems to get a speedy approval. As soon as the paint is dry, agile ink lines with a reed pen trace the contours of bold and irregular shapes. After all a lot of new work is waiting for him to tackle with his endless energy and paint. Should he get bored with the regular paper or canvas, there is always the studio itself to serve as background for Hans, where he can let go his painting force.