Adrianus Dirk (Ad) Blok van der Velden (Dordrecht, 12 April 1913 – Varese, 22 May 1980) was a Dutch painter, best known for his colourful and impressionistic depictions of the Texel landscape.
Youth and education
Born in Dordrecht, Blok van der Velden showed artistic talent at a young age. His father recognised this gift and encouraged him to attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam.
First introduction to Texel
In 1934, Blok van der Velden visited the island of Texel for the first time. As a nature lover, he was immediately captivated by the unspoilt beauty of the Texel landscape. After a two-year stay in Nice, France, he returned to the Netherlands in August 1940 and settled permanently on Texel, together with his first wife Ietje.
War years and artistic production
During the Second World War, Blok van der Velden, together with other Texel residents, was forced to work on the construction of German defences around Assen. During this period, he made numerous drawings. After the war, he devoted himself to capturing the unparcelled Texel landscape, the farms, beaches and dunes. His works from this period are characterised by a colourful and impressionistic palette.
Later years and international stays
From 1971 onwards, Blok van der Velden spent more and more time in France and later in Italy. In 1979, he left Texel for good and moved to Italy, where he died in 1980. His work remains an important contribution to Dutch painting, particularly through his loving and lively depiction of the Texel landscape.
