Hendrik GOOVAERTS

Henri Florimond Goovaerts was born on November 13, 1865 in Maastricht and died on August 23, 1912 in St. Pieter, also in Maastricht. He was an outstanding Dutch portrait painter who made a name for himself for his masterful depictions.

His artistic journey began under the guidance of his father, who taught him house and decorative painting. But Goovaerts aspired to more and deepened his knowledge at the drawing academy in Mechelen, Belgium, from 1883 to 1885. There he was influenced by important artists such as the academy director Willem Geerts. He then continued his training from 1887 to 1889 at the renowned Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam, where he studied under August Allebé and Nicolaas van der Waay, among others. During his time in Amsterdam, he formed close friendships, including with fellow student Alphonse Olterdissen.

After his studies, Goovaerts returned to Maastricht, where he founded a small private art school together with Olterdissen. His talent did not go unnoticed and he won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1890, which brought him further recognition in the art world.

Goovaerts’ artistic travels took him to various cities, including Essen, Düsseldorf, Paris, Rome and Aachen. He ran his own studio in Aachen and became known for his portrait paintings. Particularly noteworthy are his more than ten portraits of mayors of Maastricht, which were created for the Council Chamber in Maastricht.

In addition to his work as a portrait painter, Goovaerts was also active as a restorer and created copies after works by old masters. His artistic legacy lives on through his impressive portraits and his many artistic contributions.