Kees Bol

1916 - 2009

Factsheet

  • Lifespan: 93 years
  • Museums on this site: Noordbrabants Museum
  • Copyright status: Under copyright
  • Art period: Modern
  • Also known as: Cornelis Bol

The Life and Art of Kees Bol

Born in Oegstgeest, Kees Bol began his professional life as a florist before moving to Eindhoven in 1935, where he held corporate positions at Philips and Bata Shoes. During the second world war, he transitioned to the world of art, studying under Jan Heesters and later at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague with Paul Citroen, Han van Dam, and Henk Meijer. In 1947, he relocated to Tongelre, Eindhoven, where he worked as a painter and served as a teacher at the Design Academy Eindhoven, an institution he helped establish. He later moved to Heusden in 1970 and spent significant time painting in France, particularly in Lozère.

Bol's artistic output encompassed landscapes, portraits, and still life paintings. His style is characterized as figurative and expressive, noted for a specific feeling for tonal quality. His contributions to the arts were recognized through several honors, including the Thérèse van Duyl-Schwartze Prize in 1950 and being named a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 1982. His legacy includes the education of numerous students and the artistic achievements of his sons, Henri and Peter.

Questions & Answers

Is there a complete list of Kees Bol's artworks?

Every work by Kees Bol on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Is there an overview of all the subjects Kees Bol painted?

The Subject Atlas of Kees Bol is a page that maps the artist's artworks by their subjects.

In which historical period did Kees Bol work?

Kees Bol worked in the Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.

How is Kees Bol's career divided into periods?

The Chronicle of Kees Bol is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.

Self-test

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Kees Bol born?
Question 2:
Which prize was Bol awarded in 1950?
Question 3:
What was Kees Bol's profession before turning to art?
Question 4:
At which institution did Bol help set up the Design Academy?
Question 5:
Which of these is a subject matter of Bol's paintings?