Anthonie Pieter Schotel (Dordrecht, 5 September 1890 – Laren, 24 September 1958) was a Dutch painter, draftsman and graphic artist, known for his impressionistic depictions of waterscapes and ships. As a distant descendant of the renowned marine painter Johannes Christiaan Schotel, he inherited a passion for maritime scenes that would characterize his artistic career.
Early Life and Education
Born in Dordrecht as the eldest son of Jacob Anthonie Schotel and Suzanna Elisabeth Paters, Anthonie showed a talent for drawing and painting at an early age. At the age of eleven, he received painting lessons from Hermanus Gunneweg, a respected artist and member of the Dordrecht Drawing Society Pictura. Although his parents initially envisioned a career in trade for him, Schotel ultimately chose art. At the age of 25, he rented a studio on the Bomkade in Dordrecht, overlooking the Oude Maas, where he further developed his love of riverscapes and ships.
Artistic Development and Influences
Schotel was influenced by the Hague School and became friends with the Belgian painter Maurice Sys, who was known for his skill in depicting reflections in water. This influence is clearly visible in Schotel's work, in which he masterfully captured the reflections and movements of water. His early works are characterized by a grayish tone and a moody atmosphere, but as his style evolved, he began to use brighter colors and a looser brushwork.
Travels and Sources of Inspiration
In 1925, Schotel moved to Volendam, attracted by the picturesque harbor and the active fishing life. Here he found an abundance of inspiration for his maritime paintings. During his stay in Volendam, he met many artists from Laren, which led him to move to Laren in 1929. From Laren he made study trips to the French west and south coasts, where he captured harbour views of places such as Concarneau and Douarnenez. These trips enriched his oeuvre and introduced new themes and colour palettes into his work.
Memberships and Recognition
Schotel was an active member of various artists' associations, including 'Pictura' in Dordrecht, 'Sint Lucas' and 'Arti et Amicitiae' in Amsterdam. His work was regularly exhibited and he enjoyed respect within the Dutch art community. In 2012, the Dordrechts Museum devoted a retrospective to his work, which testifies to his lasting influence on Dutch painting.
Later Years and Legacy
After the Second World War, Schotel resumed his artistic activities and continued to focus on his beloved themes of water and ships. He died on 24 September 1958 in Laren. His works are part of collections in the Dordrechts Museum and the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen, among others. Schotel left behind a rich oeuvre that captures the beauty and dynamism of maritime scenes, and he is remembered as a master in depicting the Dutch waterways and life on them.
