Albert Neuhuys

Who was Albert Neuhuys?

Johannes Albert Neuhuys was one of the best known painters of the Laren School and a friend of many of the Hague School painters.

Neuhuys went to the Municipal Drawing School in Utrecht from 1858–1860 and then worked for the lithographer Van de Weyer in Utrecht, who unfortunately went bankrupt two years later. From that time on, Neuhuys completely devoted himself to drawing and painting. From 1868 to 1872, he took lessons at the Antwerp Academy, where he was supported by a royal stipend. Here he painted interiors, specializing in the shine of satin clothes, after the example of the 17th-century artist Pieter de Hooch.

In 1872, Neuhuys moved to Amsterdam, where he met Jozef Israëls, Anton Mauve and the brothers Jacob Maris and Matthijs Maris. In 1876, he moved to The Hague. Much like the other Hague School painters, his detailed manner of painting changed to a much looser stroke. His use of color was also inspired by Jacob Maris and his watercolors became known for their sparkling transparency and the use of light.

The increasing urbanization around The Hague forced the painters of the Hague School to look further afield for their subjects.