Jan Mankes (1889-1920)
Two lilies in a glass
Approx. 1911
Pencil on parchment
21 x 14,5 cm
Signed lower right
 
Condition:
In excellent condition 
 
Provenance: 
Christies 2009,
Sold to a private collector in the Netherlands
 
Information:
Jan Mankes (1889-1920) was a Dutch artist who gained notoriety for his landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. Born in Meppel, he studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Mankes was known for his personal perspective on nature, capturing its fragile beauty in his works, earning him the nickname "Holland's most serene painter".
 
With a love for animals and plants, Mankes was captivated by their small details and ever-changing qualities, reflected in his intimate and poetic depictions of nature. He often used bright and vivid colors, applying them with thin brushstrokes to create a sense of transparency in his paintings. As his career progressed, his works became dreamier and darker in hue. He frequently portrayed blooms and greenery in the process of decay or wilting, capturing the life cycle of nature with a melancholic touch.
 
His prints are a prime example of Mankes' poetic style, showcasing wildlife in their natural habitats and fall gardens filled with wilting blooms. These prints remain highly valued and respected in the art world today for their aesthetic value and contribution to Dutch art history.
 
Mankes passed away at the young age of 30 from tuberculosis.
Despite his untimely death, his work continues to be admired by art enthusiasts. Occasional drawings or oil paintings surface on the market, but the majority of his oeuvre can be found in Dutch museums including the Rijksmuseum, Belvedere Museum, Museum More, Museum Arnhem, and Museum Mohlmann.