| Jan Nagtegaal, painter and restorer, is dead
On 8 June 2000 Jan Nagtegaal, the reputable painter and restorer, suddenly died, age 80. Over the years several paintings by Rembrandt, among others, had been entrusted to the care of Nagtegaal, who started his career at the Rijksmuseum but eventually decided to go it alone. |
 Jan Nagtegaal, "Trompe-l'oeil" 1999, olieverf/paneel, 81 x 61 cm |
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In addition to being a talented restorer, Jan Nagtegaal was also an inspired still life and seascape painter. He was most gratified when we agreed, not long before his death, that a selection of his still lifes would be exhibited at the next PAN-Amsterdam Art and Antique Fair (26 November 3 December 2000) including several striking trompe l’oeil works in which classical values unexpectedly blend with a contemporary vision.
The last time we spoke was on 7 June, when he had just been released from hospital after a near-fatal heart attack. Aware of his temperament, I asked him whether something had happened to upset him. He admitted that he had been getting worked up about the use of Rembrandt’s studio by contemporary artists. I replied that no matter how dreadful the last heart attack had been, at least he had owed it to Rembrandt. The peals of laughter that followed made my heart jump in my throat … |
| Jan Nagtegaal's studio, on the easel his last trompe l'oeil work. |