A Versatile Life in Art
Antonius Henricus Johannes Molkenboer was a Dutch artist and craftsman whose creative reach extended across numerous disciplines. Born in Leeuwarden, Kingdom of the Netherlands, he was the son of the draftsman and sculptor Willem Molkenboer and Marie Derkinderen. His formal training took place between 1889 and 1892 at the Rijksnormaalschool voor Teekenonderwijzers in Amsterdam, an institution established by his father. Throughout his career, he worked as a painter, lithographer, graphic artist, poster artist, commercial artist, draftsperson, stained-glass artist, muralist, mosaicist, fresco painter, opinion journalist, and translator.
His professional journey saw him active in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Haarlem. During the period from 1905 to 1910, he lived and worked in the United States. While in New York, he studied at the Art Student League and received a commission from an art dealer to capture the devastation of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake in paintings. His time in America also included a significant project in Los Angeles, where he led a group of artists to complete wall decorations for the Majestic Theatre on Broadway.
Notable Works and Recognition
Molkenboer's diverse portfolio includes various monumental and decorative works. His contributions to public and religious spaces include:
In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed a Knight in the Legion of Honor and an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau. He passed away in Haarlem.
