Ferry Slebe (Ambt-Almelo 1907-1994 The Hague) was born as Sleebe but he signed himself Slebe. Ferry's training at the Hague academy failed, so Ferry Sle(e)be considered himself self-taught. He had a lyrical-figurative style with which he painted still lifes and cheerful, carefree scenes. In the 1950s he was a member of the Hague experimental painting group Verve, the Hague's answer to Cobra, and later the Nieuwe Ploeg. He was also part of the New Hague School. Verve was founded by a number of Pulchri members such as Theo Bitter, Jan van Heel and Willem Schrofer. Fantasy and imagination, in short more verve, were the objectives.

In the 1930s he painted somewhat dull and in dark colours. A trip to Paris changed his palette and tone and he experimented with the cubist. Especially after the war, he painted cheerful scenes in bright and fresh colors and naive, almost amateurish representations of harlequins, banjo-playing monkeys and clowns.

Carnavaleske voorstelling-Caput Ovis

Over the course of the 60s and 70s it became more surreal with big fish; the flute player also returned in his works. His Ode to Hieronymus Bosch is a pandemonium of people, a great ape and an amphibian-like creature. He himself called these paintings dream images; originated in my sleep. Slebe himself liked to call himself a 'little master' and that is what he was, both as a painter, watercolorist and draftsman. Nudes were his favorite theme, but street scenes, still lifes and all kinds of animals also tell stories. Ultimately he developed into a major miniaturist. Slebe's work can be found in the Hague Municipal Museum and Caput Ovis, among others.