He is also known by his artist name ‘MOND’. Joop Van Egmond was born in Rijnsburg, municipality of Katwijk, on July 28, 1943, as Johannes Martinus van Egmond, or simply Joop. He grew up in a family with a deep appreciation for art and culture, with a particular emphasis on music. This environment fostered Van Egmond’s passion for literature, poetry, classical music, architecture, and philosophy. S
tarting in 1958, he worked as a house painter and volunteer firefighter in his hometown. From 1963, he served as a firefighter with the Leiden Fire Department, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. Though he carried out his firefighting duties with unwavering dedication, his true passion always lay in the arts. His profession afforded him ample free time, which he used to develop his creative skills. He enjoyed spending his free hours painting, sculpting, and drawing. In 1963, he met his life partner Alida van Egmond-Van Beelen. They married on July 14, 1966, and had three sons and one daughter: Marco, William, Alex, and Esther. He also channeled his energy into cycling, walking, and football. Joop’s first and last place of residence was Rijnsburg.
| Artistic Career |
Displaying artistic talent from a young age, he stood out for his drawing skills during his school years. Starting at fifteen, he took classes for a decade at the Leiden academy Ars Aemula Naturae (taught by Julia Braendle, Udo Bredo, Gerard de Wit), along with classical day and evening courses. He later received private watercolor lessons in Wassenaar for a year. In the 1970s, he attended lessons at the Psychopolis academy in The Hague, studying under Hague portrait painter Hessel de Boer and Portuguese artist Beatriz Maria Matias. Sketching
Joop van Egmond practiced drawing almost daily using pen, reed pen, conté, and watercolor, especially during vacations and day trips with his family. He quickly captured street life in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, London, Prague, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Rome. Additionally, he illustrated textbooks, poetry collections, and books, and created many logos and corporate identities for businesses as well as posters and brochures for cultural events. Float Designs
In the 1980s, Joop van Egmond took on various projects, including designing floats for the famous flower parade in the Bollenstreek and the renowned Drie October parades in Leiden. Styles
His artistic legacy encompasses a diversity of styles and techniques. In his early years, Joop van Egmond worked in a highly naturalistic style, but his later works sought expressive forms that conveyed simplicity. He was increasingly inspired by the ‘primitive’ depiction of various subjects, particularly focusing on the pure emotions and joy of people. In the last two decades of his life, he painted colorful oils of Italian, French, and Dutch landscapes, characterized by vigorous brushwork and vibrant colors. Influences
In the 1970s, Joop van Egmond met the Hungarian sculptor [[Karoly Veress]], who was then residing in the Netherlands. This encounter gave Van Egmond new insights into artistry, prompting him to experiment first with etching and later with woodcut techniques. Meanwhile, he continued to refine his painting techniques. A significant source of inspiration for his colorful, abstract landscapes was the work of the Frisian painter Gerrit Benner. Like Benner, Joop van Egmond was captivated by the Frisian landscape. The artists' collective De Ploeg (Groningen, The Netherlands) also significantly influenced him. Besides visual artists, literature also inspired him, with Hans Werkman's landscape poems being a regular read. Objects
From the 1990s onward, Joop van Egmond focused on creating monumental objects, carved from stone or cast in bronze. He also continued working on modern objects primarily made of stainless steel, combined with bronze, glass, and stone. Some of these pieces found their way into private gardens and businesses, while others were installed in larger formats in places such as Leiden, Rijnsburg, Katwijk, and Voorhout (The Netherlands). In Voorhout, for instance, De kus (The Kiss) stands on the roundabout near the Nagelbrug, while Rijnsburg is home to the sculptures Ontluiking (Emerging) and the posthumously unveiled Bloei 3 (Bloom 3) on roundabouts. These monumental projects gradually earned him prestige and recognition in the region, honors which he accepted with humility.
| Other Activities |
Joop van Egmond co-founded the Museum Oud Rijnsburg and the art circle KK’88 Duin- en Bollenstreek. He also served for many years on selection committees for organizations such as Artibrak in Voorburg and participated in various art committees. Additionally, he held numerous board positions, including running for a seat on the Gemeente Belangen Rijnsburg list in his final year. He also advised various organizations on cultural or aesthetic matters and was a member of the Supervisory Board of the Municipality of Katwijk. Besides painting and drawing, Joop van Egmond found his element in cycling. Throughout his life, he took various cycling tours in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Germany. These multi-day solo journeys were his way of expending energy, finding inspiration, and finding peace in nature.
| Tragic Death |
During his final cycling trip through the green hills of England, he met his end in a tragic traffic accident. In the town of Rawreth, near Chelmsford, Essex County, Joop van Egmond was hit by a van on June 7, 2018. He died from his injuries a few days later at the Royal London Hospital on June 12.
