Jan Wiegers (1893-1959)

The artist's association De Ploeg was founded in 1918, without a formal or artistic agenda. At an early stage the group was inspired by Jan Wiegers. Wiegers' art had already turned towards expressionism, but it was not until he travelled to Switzerland that he was fully converted. Illness brought him to Davos in 1920-21, where he became acquainted with Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, one of the main protagonists of German Expressionism. Kirchner's art, his theories and lifestyle made a lasting impression on Wiegers. In technique, colour and subject matter Wiegers drew inspiration from his work. Returning to Groningen Wiegers introduced his newly acquired style and wisdom to his friends Jan Altink (1885-1971), Hendrik Nicolaas Werkman (1882-1945) and Johan Dijkstra (1896-1978).

The nude is one of the central themes in Wiegers oeuvre. In the period from 1923 until 1926 Wiegers produced several wax paintings showing nudes, in which the sensuality is heightened through colour.