Gerrit van Houten
Gerrit van Houten (also known as Gerry Wood; 29 August 1866, in Groningen – 18 January 1934, in Santpoort) was a Dutch painter and artist.
His father Hindrik, who as well as running a business was active in politics, serving on the municipal and provincial councils, liked to draw in the little free time that he had.
Although Gerrit's mother, Alida Cornelia Christina ten Bruggencate did not draw, she did have a great interest in art.
Gerrit's older brother Derk also drew and painted, but stopped when he became too busy in his work at the timber merchants.
Then there was his aunt, Sientje van Houten, who was married to the famous painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag and who painted herself.
It is not known whether Gerrit's younger brothers Samuel and Jan and youngest sister Sientje painted or drew.
He had already managed to have his watercolour De Bornse hut, which he had painted at the end of 1881, exhibited at Kunstlievend Genootschap Pictura in March 1882.
Later that year he tried to exhibit his work outside Groningen too, even succeeding in having a seascape admitted to the Exposition Internationale in Nice.
Although Gerrit was a somewhat shy lad in daily life, he corresponded with various art societies and organizations at home and abroad.
He received private tuition in French, German and English, and discussed how best to improve his skills as an artist with the director of the Academie Minerva, Egenberger.
Gerrit's uncle, Sam van Houten, his guardian since the death of his father, advised him to follow botany and zoology classes at the University.
Gerrit decided to sit the entrance exam to the Rijksacademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, but was rejected.
On the advice of Uncle Mesdag he travelled to The Hague in October 1884, because he could follow lessons at the Academie there without sitting an entrance exam.
At the instigation of his mother, Gerrit left the sanatorium to stay with his uncle and aunt in Almelo, who lavished care and affection upon him.
Gerrit moved to Friesland in September 1887, where he spent his time playing the piano and filling one sketchbook after the other.
In 1890 he moved with the doctor and his family to Lippenhuizen, but Mrs Fischer's death in October 1891 marked the end of his stay in Friesland.
Gerrit returned to his uncle and aunt in Almelo for a short time, while the family sought a long-term solution, but his condition only worsened.
Gerrit van Houten died in Santpoort on 18 January 1934 and was buried at the Zuiderbegraafplaats cemetery in Groningen.
His subjects were never far away: the garden and surroundings of the house in Groningen, the landscape of the province of Twente when he was staying in Almelo, portraits and still lifes.
The aim of the prize is twofold: to bring the work of Gerrit van Houten to the attention of the public and to stimulate contemporary artists.
