Cor Visser (1903-1982)

Dutch printmaker and painter, was born in Spaarndam, Netherlands, the fourth child of Siebe Visser, a water-lock builder, and Alida Francina (née Kipperman). At the age of 14, he attended the Haarlem Academy of Art, where he was taught by Portuguese artist Samuel Jesserum da Merquita. By 16, he had exhibited his early works at the Amsterdam Museum, leading to the Rijksmuseum acquiring two of his pieces. From 1927 onward, Visser held regular exhibitions in towns across Holland and Belgium, resulting in acquisitions by the Teyler Museum in Haarlem and the Museum des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp. During this time, he lived aboard a seagoing yacht, The Sparvum, on the Zuider Zee, later replacing it with a 40ft Dutch clipper, The Emmy. On 10 August 1929, he married Emma Nieuwstad, daughter of master builder Jan Nieuwstad.

In 1937, he sailed to Pin Mill, near Ipswich, and spent much of his life in Suffolk as a landscape, coastal, and portrait artist. He exhibited at Cooling Galleries in 1938 and, by 1939, was living aboard The Emmy at Ferry Quay, Woodbridge. During World War II, he was appointed official war artist to the Dutch government-in-exile in London, where he was commissioned to paint significant figures, including Queen Wilhelmina, members of the Dutch royal family, government ministers, and military officials. At the request of Ipswich Art Club president Anna Airy, Visser became a member, a status he maintained until his retirement in 1974, when he was named a life member. He later opened Fore Street Gallery at 44 Fore Street, Ipswich, where he mentored a small group of students.

Visser’s works are held in prestigious collections, including the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery in London. The Ipswich Borough Council’s Museums and Galleries Collection also holds a substantial selection of his paintings

I have acquired a body of work by Cor Visser, to include life drawings, landscape watercolours, oils and other works on paper. This listing is for a single artwork as detailed below.

Graphite drawing on wove paper. Portrait of a young woman, circa 1930's. Unsigned.

Paper is in very reasonable/used condition, with age toning, foxing spots throughout and other marks/blemishes/smudges.

Paper measures 30.3cm x 40.3cm