Jacobus van Looy

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 father lost his job when his eyesight began to fail. His mother died when he was five years old and when his father died soon afterwards, he ended up in the Haarlem municipal 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 draw 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. He moved back to Haarlem in 1913, when the orphanage where he grew up was converted to the Frans Hals Museum. He bought a house on the corner of the Haarlemmerhout park, where he was often seen taking walks and served as an inspiration for Godfried Bomans, among others. After his death this house was converted to a museum in his name (now only visible with a plaque on the facade).

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-prize is awarded by the "Stichting Jacobus van Looy" to artists who have excelled both as a writer and a painter. So far, the prize has been awarded to Armando, Lucebert, Breyten Breytenbach, Charlotte Mutsaers, and Wim T. Schippers.