Jacob Kever
Oil on canvas
Signed, circa 1895
61 x 52cm
Jacob Simon Hendrik Kever was born in 1854 into a well-to-do family from Amsterdam. He did not excel at school but when Jacob showed an early inclination to paint his parents encouraged him. His family were friends with the Israel family (Netherlands, Jozef 1824 – 1911 and his son Isaac 1865 – 1934). With good connections Kever was able to learn from leading art figures in the Netherlands and went on to study at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. After his study he spent the summer months in Blaricum and Laren, both old villages in the province of North Holland, and winter in Amsterdam.
Kever lived fairly by selling his work. He had a philosophical nature and was an efficient and organised worker. He was conscientious and took his work seriously. His art is not emotionally charged but sensitive and harmonious in tone. Kever rarely used contrast in his work or strong light effect. He excelled at painting farm house interiors, farmers and children, placing him amongst the important small group of artists known as the “Larense school”. Kever did not enjoy travelling, however, he had considerable success exhibiting and selling his work in North America. Despite many requests he resisted the urge to compromise on his style or to alter his subject matter in order to appeal more to the American market. He died in 1922.