Jacobus van Looy
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Jacobus (Jac) van Looy (Sep 12, 1855, Haarlem - Feb 24, 1930, Haarlem) was a Dutch painter and writer.
Van Looy was the son of a carpenter, but his parents died when he was five years old and he grew up in an orphanage. He trained to become a house painter, but was able to follow drawing classes, from 1877 at the "Rijksacademie van Beeldende Kunsten" in Amsterdam.
In 1884, he received the Prix de Rome, which allowed him to travel. The years 1885-86 he spent traveling through Italy, Spain, and Morocco. There he began to write sketches, which are collected in two volumes. Until 1894 he lived in Amsterdam, when he married Titia van Gelder and moved to Soest. In 1901 he spent another year in Spain and Morocco. In 1913 he moved back to Haarlem.
For many years, he belonged to the editorial staff of the literary monthly De Nieuwe Gids (The New Guide). He is one of the most typical authors of De Beweging van Tachtig (The Movement of the 1880s). He idolised words, especially in his travel books. He was an Epicurean and wrote with imagination about the outward appearance of our everyday life.
His work has been hailed as epic, with tender humanity and a gentle wisdom. Notable written works include the short story, De Dood van mijn Poes (The Death of My Cat) and his autobiograohy, Jaapje (Jimmy). Many of his paintings are to be found in Holland's leading museums.
Since 1985, a five-yearly Jacobus van Looy-price is awarded by the "Stichting Jacobus van Looy" to artists who have excelled both as a writer and a painter. So far, the price has been awarded to Armando, Lucebert, Breyten Breytenbach, Charlotte Mutsaers, and Wim T. Schippers.
