TOOROP, JAN (JEAN THEODOOR)

(1858–1928)

Painter. Born in the Netherlands East Indies of a mixed European-Chinese mar riage, Toorop studied in Amsterdam and Brussels, among other places. He became involved in the Symbolist movement, having con tact with French poet Paul Verlaine and with Belgian painters such as James Ensor and Fernand Khnopff. Before his marriage to the Eng lishwoman Annie Hall, he converted to Roman Catholicism. Toorop painted in the neo-Impressionistic style and was influenced by the Ju gendstil, as is also apparent from his numerous designs for book bindings. He was an accomplished portraitist. After 1910, Toorop’s work took on a more monumental format (e.g., murals and stained glass windows for churches). He maintained a lively correspondence with a great number of artists and writers.