Biography and Education
Theodorus Hendricus Johannes (Theo) Beerendonk was born on December 25, 1905, in Amsterdam and died in 1979. From 1925 to 1931, he studied at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, where he received comprehensive classical painting training under the tutelage of Professors J. H. Jurres and Hendrik Jan Wolter.

Artistic Development and Work
Beerendonk quickly created an impressive body of work. His oeuvre encompassed portraits, still lifes, and nudes, distinguished in particular by his distinctive use of color. In the 1930s, he achieved fame for his daring nudes, which followed in the tradition of important artists such as George Hendrik Breitner, Isaac Israëls, and Jan Sluijters.

In addition to painting, Beerendonk also dedicated himself to etching. In this field, he developed into a true master, proficient in all techniques. Organizations and Memberships

Beerendonk was active in various art organizations. He was a member of the Rembrandt Society (1944), the St. Lucas Artists’ Association Amsterdam (1944), and Arti et Amicitiae in Amsterdam, where he remained a member until 1956 and was elected second chairman in 1957.

Stylistic Change and Curatorial Activity

After the Second World War, Beerendonk began to stylize and abstract his subjects, resulting in increasingly abstract work. In 1966, he was appointed curator of the Rembrandt House in Amsterdam, where he also demonstrated etching techniques.

Exhibitions and Collections
Beerendonk’s works were exhibited not only in the Netherlands but also abroad, including in Oslo, Toulouse, Johannesburg, the Dutch East Indies, Anzio/Rome, and Paris. His works have been acquired by, among others, the Singer Museum in Laren, the Centraal Museum Utrecht, the Museum Civico in Italy, the Museum De Wieger in Deurne, Atlas Dreesmann and the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.