Gerard Menken (1919-2004) - "Strandgezicht" 1980

Initially trained as a musician, the talented Gerard Menken was a late to become a painter. It was only after his early retirement as a school music teacher at secondary education that he could finally fully devote himself to his great passion: 'Painting'. Without art training but with an undeniable talent, he sought his own way and left us a large and versatile oeuvre.

He was especially inspired by the developments in French painting in the twentieth century. Menken was a true outdoor painter who marveled at the visual process from an early age. His work is characterized by powerful lines, sometimes subtle, with a great sense of rhythm and order. He usually painted, watercolored or drew figuratively without striving for strong detailing, in a bright and sunny color scheme, 'loosely from the wrist, like a conductor'.