Under the hammer: works of Arie Leeflang

There is often something romantic about it: an artist who faces great adversity but still manages to carry on with his work. Take Arie Leeflang (1906–1956), for example. In May 1940, a British air raid on the entrepôt harbour in Rotterdam wiped out not only his home but also his studio in a single blow. All that remained of his entire body of work was what he had sold, given away or exchanged prior to that time. In addition, two paintings that were hanging in Museum Boijmans at the time escaped unscathed.

Leeflang had already gained recognition before the bombing and was awarded the Royal Grant in both 1933 and 1934. He took part three times in the biennial competitions organised by the Maatschappij Arti et Amicitia in Amsterdam, winning a prize on each occasion. None of this came to him on a plate. He combined various teaching posts in primary education (including manual arts and drawing) with evening studies at the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Art. With his Certificate of Competence in Secondary Education (M.O.) for drawing, he worked his way up through various connections to become a lecturer at the aforementioned Academy and a drawing teacher in secondary education. He was able to devote the rest of his time to art, whilst between 1932 and 1936 he also found time to undertake inspiring journeys to Norway, Switzerland, France and Italy.

His talent for portrait painting – honed through private lessons in portraiture with Herman Mees – paid off, but Leeflang had much more to offer. He enjoyed painting snowy landscapes, the Dutch countryside and grey skies, but above all he brought Delfshaven, the port of Rotterdam, moored ships, shipyards and the (industrial) reconstruction of Rotterdam to life.

Before the war, he took part in a few small exhibitions, but afterwards there were only two major exhibitions – organised by him in his own studio – that took place. (1951 and 1952). It was not until 1987 that he was posthumously honoured with an extensive exhibition at Museum De Dubbelde Palmboom in Delfshaven. The title was: ‘10 years of reconstruction painted by A. Leeflang (1906–1956)’.

December & February

The works to be auctioned come from the Leeflang family and will be offered in two auctions at Veilinghuis Peerdeman: 6 December 2026 and 21 February 2027. The December auction will be featuring a special focus on the portraits he created.

A sneak peek of what will be on offer in December's auction is at the bottom of this page.