Drawing as a foundation
The path to becoming an artist
As a child, Marius van Dokkum already knew that he wanted to become a painter. This came as no surprise to the rest of his family: he was always drawing. His parents fully supported his decision to attend art school. They assumed that he would learn painting techniques there, and Marius had the same expectation. However, he soon had to adjust his ideas. At the time, realism was considered taboo; students were expected to experiment.
Because he continued to prefer realistic art, he was advised to pursue a career as an illustrator and designer, a decision he has never regretted. He learned to draw well and, as he says himself: “I later learned to paint from fellow artists such as Henk Helmantel. His work had a tremendous impact on me. His paintings challenged the idea that realism was outdated. They were highly realistic, yet at the same time showed extraordinary artistry.”
Work, structure and inspiration
The paper mill
After graduating from art school, Marius was more or less forced to find a paid job. His student grant came to an end and he needed to earn a living. He began working part-time at VHP Security Paper in Ugchelen, near Apeldoorn, the only Dutch manufacturer of banknote paper. The steady income gave him the freedom to work as an artist for the rest of the week, while also bringing structure to his life.
For forty years, Marius designed watermarks for banknotes and other security documents for clients around the world. It is a highly specialised craft mastered by very few people. At the same time, the job kept him connected to society. “In a factory like that, you meet all kinds of people, from the director to those working on the factory floor. If you paint a lot of people, you need to spend time with people too.”
At the museum, we show how watermarks are made using a selection of Marius van Dokkum’s own designs.
Sophie van Steenderen (curator) notes:
“Many of Van Dokkum’s paintings contain gentle social commentary. But Marius van Dokkum has no interest in cynicism; instead, he holds up a humorous mirror to his audience.”
Inspiration from past and present
Great influences
Marius van Dokkum has been inspired by artists including Sierk Schröder, Henk Helmantel and Maarten ’t Hart (the painter, not the writer), as well as Old Masters such as Rembrandt, Hans Holbein, Jan Steen and Johannes Vermeer. He is also greatly fascinated by the paintings of Diego Velázquez, court painter to King Philip IV of Spain.
In 2023, Marius van Dokkum painted a self-portrait in which Sierk Schröder can be seen looking over his shoulder in the background.
Marius van Dokkum said: “When it comes to portraiture, Sierk Schröder is a true role model for me. His technique is free and confident, yet also highly skilled. I often see portraits and think, ‘Yes, it’s nicely painted, but something isn’t quite right.’ With Sierk, it is. He knew exactly what he was doing. That was also because he drew a great deal. I do the same. Keep drawing, keep improving yourself and stay connected to reality. Sierk always remained true to himself. I admire that, and I recognise it in myself.”
