Toon Tieland (Antoon Wijnand Tieland)

About Toon Tieland
Born in Amersfoort in 1919, Toon Tieland became one of the city's most beloved painters. His distinctive style and colourful paintings are sought after by collectors throughout the Netherlands.

At the age of fourteen, Toon knew he wanted to be an artist, inspired by a Rembrandt exhibition. He took lessons with Dorus Rover in Putten and became the face of Amersfoort painting.

Biography & Influences
During World War II, Toon Tieland went into hiding to avoid deportation to Germany. During this period, he found solace in the Flemish author Felix Timmermans and was inspired by the (Flemish and later Dutch) countryside, especially around Sint-Martens-Latem. This love of the Flemish landscape is reflected in many of his works.

After the war, he and colleagues founded the artists' association De Ploegh. Tieland's paintings are often recognizable by their naive-expressionist style: bright, monochrome colour fields outlined by bold, black contour lines. His subjects range from medieval Amersfoort streetscapes to Flemish farms, the Dutch countryside, beguines, and monks.

Characteristic Style: Naive Expressionism
Toon Tieland's style combines elements of Gauguin's primitivism with the expressive vision of nature of the Latem painters. His paintings often exude a religiously inspired, joyful atmosphere. Tieland painted with heart and soul and was known for his zest for life: "Live happily, and the transition to heaven will not be so great."

He died after a car accident at the age of 87.

Exhibitions & Awards
Toon Tieland received several awards, including the Amersfoort Medal of Honour (1995), and was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1997. His work has been featured in various retrospective exhibitions, such as those at the Museum Flehite and the Zonnehof. Several books have been written about his work and life.