The scope of Harry op de Laak’s activity covers diverse fields: graphic art, free painting, ceramic art, tapestry, glaziery and mural decoration. Within this diversity an extremely sensitive interpretation of the artist’s individualistic ‘realism’ is expressed. This ranges from the subtle line in design and engraving via the limpid freshness of his pictural touch to the richness of forms and coloured areas in his monumental work. He is averse to any whatsoever commitment. On the contrary, his paintings e.g. reflect the simple free joy of looking and working and are therefore related to those of painters who experienced nature – in his case predominantly the natural scenery of his so much native soil Limburg – like Corot, Constable,
Ruysdael and Verster. And the transfiguration of the theme proceeds from an artistic maturity, based on an excellent technique and a remarkable creative urge.

Harry op de Laak was born at Venlo, 1925, where he received his first lessons from the painter Sef
Moonen. From 1945 to 1951 he studied at the Rijksacademie van Beeldende Kunsten at Amsterdam; the
last four years of this period under special tutorship of professor Heinrich Campendonk, who initiated
him into the decorative arts. From 1973 to 1985 he was a professor himself, professor of monumental
arts, at the same institute. Since then he works again in Limburg.