Bram van Velde (1895-1981)

Abraham Gerardus (Bram) van Velde was a Dutch painter and lithographer. He developed a lyrical abstract style, using strongly contrasting colours. His work emanates great tension and emotionality. At a very young age, van Velde worked from 1907 in the painting and decoration studio Van Schaijk, where he received his first painting training. At the age of 12, Bram started working for a home furnishing firm to support the family's needs. A natural talent, he copies the old masters early on and decorates furniture and lampshades for his company. His employer recognized his great talent and encouraged him to develop further. With the support of his boss, Bram leaves for Germany and settles in the artists' colony of Worpswede. Here, in addition to a number of paintings in expressionist style, he made his first lithograph - a self-portrait. It appears in an edition of the artists' colony in an edition of 500 copies.

In 1924 he leaves for Paris with his brother Geer (Gerard). Paris is van Velde's great school, where his painting career is increasingly taking shape. When he moves to Corsica in 1930, another world opens up. Corsica becomes a source of inspiration, especially for still lifes. After the Second World War, Bram van Velde had his first personal exhibition in Paris. Although late in his career, appreciation for his work grew rapidly. Exhibitions followed one another. Bram van Velde dies at the age of 86 in the South of France. He is buried there in Arles.