The Piquant Universum of the Dutch Impressionistic Painter Harry Maas.     Youth Harry Maas, born July 23, 1906 in Nederweert (the South of the Netherlands), was a son of the teacher Herman H.J. Maas, who was also a writer of regional novels like Verstooteling (1907) and Goud van de Peel . He was also called the ‘Brabantse Zola’ because his novels dealt with the social abuses in this particular region. His militant and critical attitude towards educational matters and social issues as expressed in his novels were the reason he became a pariah within the Catholic community and also had major implications on his career. Therefore the family Maas consecutively moved to Venlo (1911), Roermond (1912-1923), Doetinchem (1923-1925), Nijmegen (1925-1931) and finally Eindhoven (July 1931). In Roermond Harry visits the H.B.S. where he gets drawing lessons from M.G. Hölscher (1907-1940) and in Nijmegen he gets painting lessons from Anton Kloosterhuis (1888-1959). Due to the contrariness of father Maas the family is in a difficult situation. Mother Maas was taken to a mental hospital in Vught where she dies in 1948. The eldest son Herman Jr., a graduate lawyer, without a steady job dies in 1940 of a skin disease. The youngest descendant Willy was hospitalized in a sanatorium due to an unstable mental state. Although Harry stays with his father they barely communicate because of their contradicting characters. Exhibitions The family circumstances must have had a deciding effect on the life of Harry Maas. In Eindhoven Harry seeks contact with “de Eindhovense Schetsclub (sketch club)” that was established in 1929 by Jan and André van Bergeyk. Soon he became the driving force of this club where professionals and amateurs meet during while drawing clothed and nude figures. On their first exhibition in “Kunstzaal Verheugen” (1932) his work was prominently present. Maas also joins “De Zuid-Nederlandse Onafhankelijken”, an association of artists founded by Johannes Nicolaas in 1934. At their first exhibition in 1935 in the old town hall he is “one of the most notable appearances”. In 1937 he has a solo show (the only one in his life) at the art room Verheugen. Together with some other artists from Eindhoven he becomes a member of the “Bredasche Kunstkring (art circle)” with whom he exhibits several times during the early forties. After the Second World War Maas, as a member of the art circle De Kempen and the “Eindhovense Schetsclub”, he participates in his last visual arts exhibitions. After this Maas stops exhibiting because he claims that he has no more work in stock. A lot of his work he sells through art dealers Roelofs in Amsterdam and Beckers in Eindhoven. But a more obvious reason for his aversion could be the different views on art that emerged at that period. Also in reviews on his work there was more criticism, substantiated by the fact that Maas had lost one eye during the bombing on December 6, 1942 which would have had a negative impact on his artistic achievements. Later Years After the death of his father Harry Maas moves consecutively to the Akkerstraat 23, the Ooistraat 25 and circa 1970 De Kleine Berg 79. Although “de Eindhovense Schetsclub” went defunct in 1969 he continues his weekly drawing sessions with his friends. In 1974 he marries the younger naive painter Netty Michels (1919-1995), who has been coming to him for years. On June 4, 1982 Maas dies in Eindhoven and is buried on the “Catherinakerkhof”. His Work In the thirties Harry Maas gets fame as draughtsman and painter of portraits and figure paintings. In addition he makes linocuts and starts etching. His preferred model, and his great love, is Jeanne van den Bogaard (1913-2003). The love is not mutual but they always remain friends as well as with her twin sister Mary van den Bogaard. During the war period Maas brushed many still lifes and around 1950, as a result of many trips to England and Paris, he starts painting cityscapes and landscapes. His passion for steam locomotives and trams get a permanent place in his oeuvre, sometimes supplemented with fashionably dressed, graceful (school) girls. Nudes He painted in a slightly French-oriented, impressionistic style. His smooth touch and its cheerful, bright colors radiate the joy of painting.The female, half dressed or spicy nude, is a leading thread through his work. The numerous, detailed nudes portrayed in oil, watercolor, black or red chalk and quick sketches have given Harry Maas his reputation. At that time this topic was experienced as ‘on the edge’ but nowadays these paintings give a nice image of the time.           Girl With Hat In Front Of A Mirror. Aquarel on paper. Size: 19 2/3” X 14” inches.  Date: 1950. Signed: H. Maas 1950 ( below left ) hm1. For Sale  € 1150,-     > Click on the Photo.         > Click on the Photo. Semi-Nude Girl Laying In The Grass. Aquarel on paper. Size: 16 1/6” X 12 1/5” inches. Date: 1977. Signed: H. Maas 1977 ( below right ) hm2. For Sale  € 850,-                     Red-Haired Girl Posing Near a Chair. Aquarel on paper. Size: 10 1/2” X 18 3/4” inches.  Date: 1979. Signed: H. Maas 1979 ( upper right ) hm3. For Sale  € 850,-     > Click on the Photo.                   Nude Girl With Her Shoe on a Stool; Aquarel on paper. Size: 11 3/4” X 15 3/4” inches.  Date: 1977. Signed: H. Maas 1977 ( upper left ) hm4. For Sale  € 850,-   > Click on the Photo.         > Click on the Photo. Nude Girl Posing on a Pouffe..  Aquarel on paper. Size: 11 3/4 X 15 3/4” inches. Date: 1979. Signed: H. Maas ( upper right ) hm5. For Sale  € 850,-           Catholic prayercard published shortly after Maas' death.