Unquestionably, the Frisian artist Peter J. Sterkenburg is one of the foremost Dutch marine painters of the 20th Century.In the last few years of his life, he had been so successful that his paintings were sold even before they were completed.Especially during the last ten years of his life he enjoyed the recognition of his work but, because of his modest character, he preferred to remain in the background. He could do without publicity, since everything he painted was sold in less than no time anyway. This book includes, in addition to a biography, more than 100 colour plates of his paintings which illustrate the versatility of the artist.

In February 2001, a foundation was established with the objective of bringing the attention of a broad public to the work of the Frisian marine painter Peter Sterkenburg, who died untimely in 2000.

In the last few years of his life, Peter had been so successful that his paintings were sold even before they cere completed. On a scrap of paper stuck to the door of a cabinet, he had jotted down all the assignments chich, unfortunately, would never be realised. But the paintings he did finish are spread all over the world nd they are a source of pleasure for the fortunate owners. The Holland America Line, Smit International nd the Maritime Heritage Foundation, to name a few, all possess one or more 'Sterkenburgs', as do some amous people, such as Donald Trump.

Foreword

Biography

I   A lively youngster

II   An unusual character

III  The first period

IV   In good hands

V   A new friend

VI   Getting used to travelling

VII  A different person

VIII  A sad ending

The making of a 'Sterkenburg'

Paintings

a.   The brown period (1976 - ca. 1980)

b.   From dark to light (ca. 1980 - ca. 1991)

c.   The light of the East (ca. 1991 - 2000)

Bibliography