Biography of Hans van Draanen

Born in Amsterdam in 1931 (d. 1987), Hans van Draanen there in its teen time the war period which probably has further affected his whole life. In and around the Canal House on the brouwersgracht many artists lived and worked. In that period, the painter and poet Lucebert often with his parents over the floor and there were regulated poems nominated when there is not on the Studio worked. Hans followed in that time a training at the Institute of Arts and crafts in Amsterdam, the later Rietveld Academy.

In the biography (ISBN 9789082437102) about Hans van Draanen shows that the two conflict that emerges from the above saying a nice picture of his character. This ambivalence is reflected in the stories of his family and friends who together provide a picture of a charming, playful, immersive, generous and eager man with a booming laugh and a golden heart, but also of a selfish man with a sometimes jealous and dark side. But about one thing everyone fully agree: Hans was a unique artist with a keen interest and knowledge of ancient culture, modern art, literature and music.

And though he is perhaps best known as an etcher, also the paintings are quite intriguing. In the background at the back of the book is good to see how much he controlled and with how much fun he styles his playful, fantastic, surreal and sometimes charming figures on the canvas.