Cornelis Kloos

Dutch painter Cornelis Kloos took part in three consecutive Olympic Games in the art competitions, 1928-36. He mainly painted figures, especially female nudes, and landscapes and also worked as a sculptor. In a realistic style he painted mainly erotic nudes, with young girls as models. He first passed the qualifying examination for mining engineer at the Technical University in Delft but then studied at the Academy for Fine Arts in Den Haag, and then went to Paris and later to München, attending the Hans-Hofmann-School for Fine Arts. His paintings are said to have a personal look and a very special, pictorial sensibility.

Kloos’ entry Springende meisjes from 1934 is lost, but a reproduction survived. Allegedly, the German Minister for Propaganda Goebbels wanted to buy the painting after the exhibition. However, Kloos was supposed to change the dark-haired girls into blond ones, which he refused. The purchase then did not occur.