Art with a wink – Article in Life Style

2004 - Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, one of the greatest painters that ever lived, made paintings with a wink already in the 17th century. From time to time, the maestro included some kind of joke in his paintings, in order to kid his customers. In 1639 the Citizen Company could not have expected that his Nightwatch was to take up such an important place in international art. Govert Muijs can certainly appreciate the artist’s jest in this world famous work of art. This well-known portrait painter from Bussum, Holland, cannot always refrain from giving his principals a subtle place in the work they commissioned.....

Text: Annette Ripolli

It was mainly due to Frater Beatus’ interesting drawing lessons that this creative youngster went to Nimeto after he graduated from high school. The clergyman paid much attention to anatomy drawing and he gave the eager boy much insight into the world of perspective drawing, which is the basis for proper ratios in a drawing or painting. Frater Beatus worked in a rebuilt bicycle shed that served as a drawing classroom and studio.

Govert still has good memories of that classroom and the beautiful light in it. He subsequently followed the teaching curriculum to become an art teacher himself. But he found out that he was not a teacher. He wanted to create art himself by painting. At the age of eight he already knew what he wanted to be, a painter. His grandfather was a talented amateur painter, so Govert Muijs Jr became interested in painting at a very early age.

Of course you can romanticize the whole thing, but maybe this versatile painter was born in the wrong period. In the Golden Age period of the Republic of the Seven Netherlands, this painter with his head of abundant curly hair would probably have felt very much at home. Probably this ever light-hearted personality would have liked to look over the shoulders of Gerard Dou and Nicolaes Maes. Or rather over the shoulder of their contemporary and master Rembrandt. As an artist he has a tacit admiration for the works of these historical personalities. Their way of working appeals to him. ”When you see these paintings, you see something alive on canvas. When you come closer, you realise that the frame is often painted, especially those of the first two painters. That is what I do in my own way as well. The frame is the starting point. A child on a swing appears to be swinging just out of the painting”, says the friendly painter.

‘People walk up to the painting and start touching it. What is the frame and what is the painting. And it’s true. You would like to stroke the sea rescue horses of the island of Ameland standing next to their owner. And when you see the singing lady, you are almost inclined to turn the volume up, because you have an image but no sound. Often Govert portrays people with their favourite pet, a horse or a dog. ‘It is as if you keep their childhood alive’, says Govert. Everyone feels at home with this ever high-spirited and hospitable character. He has his own special way to create movement in a painting. Versatile

Govert Muijs started his professional career as a commercial painter. Twenty-five years ago that was still a genuine profession. It still is, but nowadays everything is done on the computer. Think of logos, devices, etc. on advertisement boards in soccer stadiums. For special matches new advertisement boards had to be made. He painted many hours for Ajax and matches of the national team. In the Thialf ice stadium he worked on ice-cold feet. Or he painted Alex Blanchard life-size on a canvas of 3 x 8 m in the enormous Ahoy hall. That was all done without preliminary studies and in the proper perspective.

Yet all this was not what he was seeking. For a building materials market this versatile man worked as a window dresser for weeks on end both in Holland and abroad. This stressful job was not ideal for the young father of a small family. He wanted to follow his heart, but he also had to earn some money. Via his extensive personal network he found his present studio in Bussum and started to make décors for television. The work had often to be completed at very short notice, so he and his fellow workers had to work during the nights as well. Adequacy, speed and flexibility were a must. His studio was also used for TV registrations, since the décors were already there and transporting a camera was easier. Filming on site, i.e. in his studio with décors, was often the best option. It was an instructive but hectic period. All in all the work was not what he really wanted, but it gave him a proper basis for what he really liked, painting to his heart’s content.

True to life

Twenty yeas ago lifelike paintings were not so popular, but in the last few years portraits painted to life have seen a revival. People realize again that such a portrait is a precious possession for the future and for the entire family.

In the course of his life, Govert Muijs has developed a very personal style, and he made full use of his years of experience as a décor builder. His paintings contain elements that extend beyond the frame. This can be anything, from a swinging leg, a fishing rod, the hand of a restless child trying to climb out of the frame or a pair of horse ears. Govert paints on thick wooden panels and meticulously saws the extending parts out afterwards. This gives his work not only an extra dimension, but also a highly recognisable signature.

Notably in the Gooi region his works are in high demand. His work has been shown on TV very often. In one of the programs he had the opportunity to show his way of working in detail. Many well-known and less well-known Dutchmen have been portrayed by him. The artist consults his models beforehand about what they want and how, and asks them to come to his studio to meet them in person. This enables him to see certain character features to be immortalised for later generations. But if there are no other options, e.g. with jubilees or special occasions, photo’s alone will also do. In some cases Govert has very little time, and for him this is an extra challenge. The principal can determine to a large extent what the portrait will look like. It may be as straightforward as a photo, or he/she wants a certain painted base layer. Everything is possible. For the TV programme ‘All Animals Count’ he fulfilled the deepest wish of a viewer who had dogs that were very precious to him. He painted the dogs really lifelike. Frescos

Water is an important element in the life of this artist. That may also be the reason why blue appeals to him so much, in all its hues. He also likes sailing and swimming, and he is attracted to the Wadden islands, especially Ameland. On this beautiful island Govert succeeded in setting up a gallery in the old school building, in which he sells larger and smaller paintings during the summer. In summer he also gives painting classes there, much to his liking. He has done so for years already, and before he did the same in Friesland and in the south of France. As an adherent to the good sides of life, this is more to him than just a job.

The same applies to making frescos, or special forms of murals. Quite often he is requested by people to paint murals on walls in their houses, e.g. the wall of a swimming pool or a bathroom of garage wall. This is quite a challenge for him and he likes to take it on.

In consultation with the principal he arrives at a design and then he makes a small preliminary study. Just like his great predecessors he cannot always avoid portraying the principal or his/her relatives in the ultimate mural. When they see themselves on their wall later on, the surprise is often greater. For instance, he painted a large car race in the thirties of the last century for a lover of old-timers with the principal driving the leading car. For the Videoland company head-office he painted a sort of movie in which Clint Eastwood features quite clearly. Other people wanted to see a Tuscany landscape in their Dutch house, and he realised it excellently. It became a trompe d’oeil, a real eye deceiver. Visitors are always inclined to pass through the wrong door…...

Artists among themselves

When he is not painting on site, he prefers to be in his studio. Without all modern technology, here he lives for his work and here he paints daily in the tiny ‘artist village’ at Vliegdenweg in Bussum, Holland. Just like 16 other artists he has his workplace there and he receives his clients. His studio is equipped with large transparent light domes that allow him to work with the best form of daylight. Once a year, the artists open their studios for visitors.

Regular visitors of the artist village of Laren have undoubtedly visited Mauve, the cosy restaurant with so many paintings on the wall. In the fire that struck the building some years ago, even the well-known painting ‘Heather Scenery with Sheep’ was lost. Govert was asked to repaint this well-known work of art, so that it could feature again at its proper place in the rebuilt restaurant. Govert is regularly asked for exhibitions. Recently, work of him was shown in the Singer Museum in Laren, together with work of the Laren-Blaricum Fine Arts society. Govert is a member of this long-standing and well-known society. Each artist applying for membership is subjected to a ballot and the ballot committee checks his/her work. This practice dates back to the times of the old Hamdorf group of artists. In the old inn the artists ate their simple meals and then painted to life in the attic. What is going on with those portrait painters? For them time seems to almost stop. A canvas, a brush with paint and some daylight are sufficient. Then they feel completely at home. When Govert is painting a portrait in his studio, he is as busy as a bee and forgets everything around him. Just like his colleagues, centuries ago....