Herman (Hermanus) Berserik
Den Haag 1921-2002.
Herman Berserik studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Herman (Hermanus) Berserik lived in Rijswijk for many years of his life. But despite that, Berserik was undeniably part of the art world in The Hague, among other things as a teacher at the Hague Academy of Art from 1958 to 1978 and as an active member of the painting society Pulchri Studio.
Herman Berserik also worked as an illustrator. Berserik made hundreds of pocket covers for Salamander and Ooievaar. To quote an interview held by my father Ton Knoester in 2001, Berserik had to work hard at one point, he had to put bread on the table. For example, he had made 350 pictures for the children's series Daantje. After a while, some children thought that Berserik himself was Daantje, he said.
He travelled to North Africa, Syria and Lebanon. He left behind a rich collection of paintings: Berserik's love for light and water can be recognised in his work in the Form of ships, Bridges, locks. He also painted Landscapes, Still lifes, cyclists, dolls, Toys and bottles, self-portraits and cityscapes.
They are often cheerful representations with humour, often a bit naughty, with poetry and sometimes a touch of surrealism.
Berserik Received the Royal Subsidy for Painting in 1948 and 1949, the Jacob Maris Material Prize in 1950, the David Roëll Prize in 1951, the Jacob Maris Prize for Graphics in 1952 and 1960, the Jacob Hartog Prize in 1963 and the Jacob Hartog oeuvre prize in 2000.
His work can be found in the Haags Gemeentemuseum, the Museum voor Communicatie (Postmuseum) in The Hague and the Rijkscollectie.
Herman Berserik also worked as an illustrator. Berserik made hundreds of pocket covers for Salamander and Ooievaar. To quote an interview held by my father Ton Knoester in 2001, Berserik had to work hard at one point, he had to put bread on the table. For example, he had made 350 pictures for the children's series Daantje. After a while, some children thought that Berserik himself was Daantje, he said.
He travelled to North Africa, Syria and Lebanon. He left behind a rich collection of paintings: Berserik's love for light and water can be recognised in his work in the Form of ships, Bridges, locks. He also painted Landscapes, Still lifes, cyclists, dolls, Toys and bottles, self-portraits and cityscapes.
They are often cheerful representations with humour, often a bit naughty, with poetry and sometimes a touch of surrealism.
Berserik Received the Royal Subsidy for Painting in 1948 and 1949, the Jacob Maris Material Prize in 1950, the David Roëll Prize in 1951, the Jacob Maris Prize for Graphics in 1952 and 1960, the Jacob Hartog Prize in 1963 and the Jacob Hartog oeuvre prize in 2000.
His work can be found in the Haags Gemeentemuseum, the Museum voor Communicatie (Postmuseum) in The Hague and the Rijkscollectie.
