Jan Roos

In the harsh outdoor air, Jan Roos (1951) painted impressions of harbour life on ship packaging materials, creating a collection of monumental paintings. The expressive, powerful brushstrokes make the rawness of the sea and the open air of the harbour almost tangible.

Jan Roos, born and still living in Harlingen, is one of the most important painters from Friesland. His work is deeply rooted in the harbour and the landscape of his hometown. In order to work quickly on site, Roos exchanged oil paint for acrylics, which dry more rapidly. He often painted on the ground, crouching or kneeling, placing himself quite literally in the moment, surrounded by the sounds, smells, and sensations of the harbour. The majority of these works have never been shown before in a museum setting.

Cover image: Jan Roos, work from the exhibition On the Borderline of Land and Sea, 2026