Hermanus Berserik (The Hague 1921-2002) his father had a cleaning company (including the Gemeentemuseum) and was also a painter of still lifes. Herman trained at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague from 1939 to 1944, where he was taught by Willem Schrofer, Willem Rozendaal, Rien Draijer and Paul Citroen, among others. After the war he visited Paris several times, where he was impressed by the Cubists and Ecole de Paris. In 1951 he traveled to Algeria and Tunisia.
Berserik's work was influenced by Paul Citroen and Kees Andrea. His work is considered part of the New Hague School and belongs to The Hague realists. Initially he did a lot of commissioned work such as posters, illustrations and advertisements for Philips, the PTT and KLM. He also made more than 300 book covers for Louis Paul Boon, Willem Elsschot, Nescio and others. Berserik is considered one of the most important Dutch graphic artists of the 20th century. He has also always painted; he calls himself a real poster painter without a message. 'It says what it says'.
Berserik made more than 1,500 paintings, self-portraits, still lifes, city and seascapes and landscapes, as well as facade paintings. In the beginning his style was expressed in quasi-naive cityscapes. The definitive Berserik style emerged in the 1950s: everyday reality, strangely or humorously depicted. From expressionistic to increasingly realistic. Typical subjects are dolls, lighthouses, ship models and zeppelins. Cheerful performances with sometimes a bit of surrealism.
He lived and worked in the gardener's house of the De Voorde estate in Rijswijk from 1952 until his death. From 1958 to 1978 Berserik was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Art. In 1946 he became a member of the Hague Art Circle and later the group Verve (including Theo Bitter and Co Westerik), Vrij Beelden, and De Realisten. From 1963 he was an active member of the Pulchri Studio. His contributions to the Pulchri magazine in particular were widely read because they contained practical tips about the painting profession.
Berserik's work can be found in Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, Museum Rijswijk, Museum More and Museum for Communication. Berserik received a large number of awards, including the Royal Subsidy for Painting and the Jacob Maris Prize. He married Hermine Françoise (Mien) Voûte in 1947. Three children were born from this marriage, two of whom also ended up in the illustration profession.
Berserik's work was influenced by Paul Citroen and Kees Andrea. His work is considered part of the New Hague School and belongs to The Hague realists. Initially he did a lot of commissioned work such as posters, illustrations and advertisements for Philips, the PTT and KLM. He also made more than 300 book covers for Louis Paul Boon, Willem Elsschot, Nescio and others. Berserik is considered one of the most important Dutch graphic artists of the 20th century. He has also always painted; he calls himself a real poster painter without a message. 'It says what it says'.
Berserik made more than 1,500 paintings, self-portraits, still lifes, city and seascapes and landscapes, as well as facade paintings. In the beginning his style was expressed in quasi-naive cityscapes. The definitive Berserik style emerged in the 1950s: everyday reality, strangely or humorously depicted. From expressionistic to increasingly realistic. Typical subjects are dolls, lighthouses, ship models and zeppelins. Cheerful performances with sometimes a bit of surrealism.
He lived and worked in the gardener's house of the De Voorde estate in Rijswijk from 1952 until his death. From 1958 to 1978 Berserik was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Art. In 1946 he became a member of the Hague Art Circle and later the group Verve (including Theo Bitter and Co Westerik), Vrij Beelden, and De Realisten. From 1963 he was an active member of the Pulchri Studio. His contributions to the Pulchri magazine in particular were widely read because they contained practical tips about the painting profession.
Berserik's work can be found in Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, Museum Rijswijk, Museum More and Museum for Communication. Berserik received a large number of awards, including the Royal Subsidy for Painting and the Jacob Maris Prize. He married Hermine Françoise (Mien) Voûte in 1947. Three children were born from this marriage, two of whom also ended up in the illustration profession.
Berserik-1947-Gemeentemuseum
Liggen 1967-Centraal Museum
Varend op zee; portret vrouw Mien 1975-RKD
Portret van een camera-1978-Museum More
Zelfportret Berserik 1980-RKD
De Jonge Snoeper
Muurschildering De Pop in Den Haag
Muurschildering De Kruidenier Den Haag