ALBERT  HOUTHUESEN

 1903 - 1979 

 

 

 

 Rocks and Storm, 1956, oil on board                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

 

Click on headings below to view

 

The Works
To see Houthuesen's development over 60 years

 

BBC Documentary on the Artist's Life

 

Museum Collections

Artist's Biography

 

Introduction to Walk to the Moon

 

Richard Nathanson [Impressionist & 20th Century Art] exclusively represents the Houthuesen Estate.
And is preparing the Houthuesen catalogue raisonn
é

richard@richardnathanson.co.uk: www.richardnathanson.co.uk

 

Walk To The Moon – The Story of Albert Houthuesen

Walk to the Moon is the first comprehensive, illustrated publication devoted to the life and work of Albert Houthuesen. The book is based on conversations with his biographer Richard Nathanson. Told in the artist’s own words and images, it describes a story unique in the history of art – both for its particular childhood tragedy; and the way this has imbued Houthuesen’s art with a unifying vision that stands alone. 

Albert Houthuesen was born in Amsterdam but moved to London in 1912, following the sudden death of his father at the hand of his demented wife. During the twenties, Houthuesen worked at The Royal College of Art with Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Edward Burra, Ceri Richards and Cecil Collins. And thereafter in isolation.

Walk to the Moon is the English translation of the Dutch expression Loop Naar de Maan meaning ‘Forget it’. It was how Houthuesen’s mother would respond whenever as a child, he asked her for painting materials.

 

'Best Books of 2008'  Financial Times 

Houthuesen was a Dutch-English modernist, whose life story forms one of the most sensational, offbeat, affecting artist’s biographies I have encountered. Told mostly in his own words, it is illustrated with his strange religious paintings, portraits – especially the sombre but high-colour clowns – and landscapes.

                                                                      Jackie Wullschlager   Chief Art Critic

 

Published by The Putney Press
Email: info@theputneypress.co.uk

256 Pages  250 Illustrated works (106 in colour) 93 Photographs
Hardback 10 x 7 ½ inches (25.5 x 19cms)  Price
£25 (plus p&p)
ISBN – 978-0-9516219-2-9

Copies are available from:

Richard Nathanson
P.O. Box 515
London SW15 2WB
Tel:  00 44 (0)208 788 2718

 

 

Richard Nathanson gives talks on Albert Houthuesen showing his development over sixty years. And how his work directly reflects his unique story and philosophy.  Included is a short extract from his 1976 BBC film on Houthuesen's life.

 

Through an engaging, superbly presented performance, Richard Nathanson became the artist Albert Houthuesen. Taking the audience on a journey that charted the artist’s life and work, by combining his words spoken to Richard over 40 years ago, with showing part of the very moving BBC documentary and beautifully sharp projected images of his pictures, the effect was spellbinding.

Richard has, through his passion, brought to life this fascinating, overlooked artist. A thoroughly enjoyable and informative event I can recommend to anyone.

 Colin Thomas, Manager, Waterstone’s, Putney. 

 

This fascinating one-hour talk included the dramatic beginning of the 1976 BBC documentary-interview with the artist, followed by Nathanson reading from his biography the artist’s words which accompanied projected pictures showing his development over sixty years.

The lecture was very well-received by a capacity audience. And vividly conveyed Houthuesen’s mystical imagination. The consequences of his mother’s murder of his artist-father were poignantly described. Also Houthuesen’s isolation from the mainstream ‘art world’, his poverty and neglect. Nathanson’s calm, understated delivery very effectively brought home these things.

The talk ‘a walk through the mind’ of a visionary artist in love with nature, fulfilled all the criteria for bringing to life and inspiring interest in an artist who deserves much wider recognition. 

Charlene Coleman, Organiser for Westminster Art Events

 

Richard Nathanson’s presentation ‘Walk to the Moon - The Story of Albert Houthuesen’ was enormously enjoyable. And full of passion, conviction and marvellous clarity – rare in a lecturer these days.

What an intriguing, complicated figure Houthuesen is. I was particularly taken by the expressive power of his landscapes. They seem to me to be his most formally audacious and daring inventions, imbued with a remarkable colour sense.

 Chris Riopelle, Curator of Post 1800 Paintings, National Gallery, London.

 

I suspect that Houthuesen will come to be seen as one of the great figures in post-World  War II Western Art.  This will be facilitated by the new mood that is perceptible in the art world.  The current emphasis on pranks, from Damien Hirst to Jeff Koons to Murakami, may not last forever.

Souren Melikian, International Herald Tribune.

 

 

Click here to visit www.richardnathanson.co.uk