Anton Mauve

Anton Mauve's favourite subjects to paint were sheep, cows and horses

Anton Mauve was born in Zaandam on 18th September 1838. His father was a Baptist preacher and moved to Haarlem with his family soon after the birth of his son. There, Anton Mauve's immense artistic talent led him to become an apprentice to the animal and landscape painter Pieter Frederik van Os (1808-1892) at the age of 16. During this time, probably also under the influence of his teacher, he developed a preference for animal motifs, especially sheep, but also horses and cows. He then took further lessons for a few months with the animal painter Wouterus Verschuur (1812-1874), who enjoyed a good reputation for his stable and horse scenes, in particular. In 1858, Mauve went to Oosterbeek, which at the time was home to an artists' colony. There, Mauve found a mentor and patron in the painter and sculptor Paul Gabriël (1828-1903), a member of the Hague School. Other artists that Anton Mauve met in Oosterbeek were Willem Maris (1844-1910) and Albertus Gerardus Bilders (1838-1865).

Important patron and teacher of Vincent van Gogh

After his apprenticeship, Anton Mauve visited various cities in the Netherlands, gained further experience and practised painting. In 1871, he settled in The Hague and married Ariëtte Carbentus, and introduced her cousin Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) to painting. Mauve initially exerted a great influence on his young pupil, whom he also supported financially: He introduced him to Johann Hendrik Weissenbruch (1824-1903) and van Gogh euphorically confessed that he always wanted to go wherever his teacher and patron Mauve went. However, the bouts of depression from which Anton Mauve increasingly suffered, as well as differing artistic views, led to a rift that could not be mended during Mauve's lifetime. Vincent van Gogh's relationship with the occasional prostitute Clasina "Sien" Hoornik also played a role in the rift. After his death, however, Vincent van Gogh painted his famous picture Souvenir de Mauve (Peach Trees in Bloom) as a final tribute to his teacher and sent it to Anton Mauve's widow.

Recognition as a leading artist of the Hague School

Anton Mauve's paintings were very well received in The Hague and he himself became a leading artist of the Hague School. Because his works sold well, he was able to lead a financially secure life and maintain a well-equipped studio. When Anton Mauve finally discovered the landscape around the small village of Laren as a favourite motif during a summer holiday, he bought a beautiful house there, which he named ‘Ariëtte’ after his wife, and settled there. His landscapes with sheep were particularly popular in the USA, which is why some of his work can be found there today.

Anton Mauve died on 5th February 1888 in Arnheim.