Anton Rooskens
American
Anton Rooskens, a distinguished painter and printmaker, was born in the Netherlands in 1906. Although he attended the Venlo Technical School, Rooskens opted for a non-traditional path in art education, choosing to teach himself the craft. Early in his artistic journey, he drew inspiration from luminaries like Jan Sluijters, Constant Peremke, and Vincent van Gogh, influencing his use of color and textured brushstrokes, particularly in his depictions of landscapes, still lifes, and interior scenes.
Following World War II, Rooskens attended the Rijksmuseum's "Kunst en Vrijheid" ("Art and Freedom") exhibition in Amsterdam, a pivotal moment that exposed him to the sculpture and traditional masks of African tribes. This encounter significantly redirected his artistic trajectory, leading to a style marked by simplified, bold, heavy lines and fields of color achieved with minimal strokes. Around this time, he connected with fellow artists Karel Appel, Eugene Brant, and Corneille, co-founding the influential CoBrA art group in 1948. Rooskens continued his involvement with the group, showcasing their work in the inaugural exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in 1949.
In the 1950s, Rooskens embarked on journeys to Kenya, Uganda, and the Congo, deepening his commitment to minimalism. His work evolved with a restricted palette and a focus on non-representational compositions, emphasizing bold lines and the interplay between light and dark. It wasn't until the 1960s that his artistic expression revisited figurative and representational themes in Abstract, representing the final evolution of his style and a return to his early Abstraction with the CoBrA group.
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Rooskens contributed to the academic sphere by teaching at the Don Bosco School in Amsterdam. His impact extended throughout Europe, with ongoing exhibitions showcasing his innovative artwork. Anton Rooskens passed away in Amsterdam on February 28, 1976, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence the art world.
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