Abraham Hulk Senior

Early Life and Training

Abraham Hulk Senior, a renowned Anglo-Dutch painter, draughtsman, and lithographer, was born on May 1, 1813, in London. He was the son of Hendrik Hulk, a merchant, and Mary Burroughs. Initially, hulk trained as a portraitist under Jean Augustin Daiwaille (1786–1850) before continuing his artistic education at the Rijksacademie in Amsterdam.

Artistic Career and Notable Works

Hulk’s travels to America in 1833 and 1834, visiting New York and Boston, marked a significant turning point in his career. Upon returning to Amsterdam, he became well-known for his marine paintings, earning the title of patriarch of a whole family of Anglo-Dutch artists. Some of his notable works include:

• Study of Pine Trees, a testament to his versatility as an artist.
• The Sea Battle at La Hogue, c. 1701, though not exclusively his, showcases the influence of his marine painting style.
• Self-Portrait with Gray Felt Hat, a rare example of his portraiture work, usually overshadowed by his marine paintings.

Exhibitions and Legacy

Hulk's work was exhibited in the Royal Academy in London from 1876 to 1890, with two of his Dutch seascapes showcased. He also exhibited at the Suffolk Street Galleries in London and in Leeuwarden and The Hague in the Netherlands from 1843 to 1868.

Family and Later Life

Hulk married Maria Wilhelmina van der Meulen, with whom he had two daughters and three sons, all of whom were involved in the art world to some extent. His brother Johannes Frederik Hulk Senior (1829–1911) and his sons Willem Frederik Hulk (1852–c. 1880), Johannes Frederik Hulk Junior (1855–1913) and Abraham Hulk Junior (1876–1898) were all artists. He taught his brother Johannes Frederik Hulk Senior (1829–1911) and most of his family members and also to Adrianus David Hilleveld.

Death and Legacy

Contrary to most literature, hulk did not die in London but passed away on March 23, 1897, in Zevenaar, Netherlands, during a short visit. His works can be found in various museums across the netherlands, including those in amsterdam, dordrecht, haarlem, and enschede. He became well known because he seemed to have the ability to paint the sea and its ships in such a different way for which he was considered a master of atmosphere and composition. Some of his portraits have survived. His work was exhibited in the Royal Academy in London from 1876 to 1890 where he entered three paintings of which two were Dutch seascapes. He also exhibited at the Suffolk Street Galleries in London and in Leeuwarden and The Hague in the Netherlands from 1843 to 1868.