Dirk Breed, from the Collection of the Patron Van Schaik
A remarkable collection of paintings by the North Holland artist Dirk Breed (1920–2004) will be on view at Kunstconsult from Saturday 20 December. The works have always belonged to the patron Wim van Schaik (1924–2017), who supported Breed intensively throughout his career. He and his wife Hella were close friends of the artist, admired him deeply, and collected his work. For the first time, the paintings are available for purchase at the exhibition “Dirk Breed: From the Collection of a Patron.”
Among the works on display are polder landscapes, self-portraits, and sweeping bird’s-eye views. What makes these seemingly “ordinary” subjects extraordinary is Dirk’s use of bright, characteristic colours and his exploration of the relationship between human and nature. Ceramic works by artist Lia Breed will also be shown in the exhibition.
The sales exhibition Dirk Breed: From the Collection of a Patron, will take place from 20 to 28 December 2025 at Kunstconsult in Zaandam. More information.
Image 1: Dirk Breed, Oil-paint on canvas, landscape with village
Dirk Breed
Dirk Breed (1920–2004) was born in Kolhorn, where the Zeedijk and the Westfriese Omringdijk meet, and where he witnessed the draining of the Wieringermeer Polder in 1930. The polder landscape made a profound impression on him. Throughout his painting career it remained a central theme in his oeuvre. Not only the landscapes, but also the state of mind plays a leading role in his work. The landscapes are deserted, as if humanity has yielded to nature. With titles such as “Landscape with Village” and “Modern Stone Mill in Empty Landscape,” the main character becomes unmistakably clear: nature itself. Occasionally, we see a lone cyclist or ice skater battling the wind—perhaps the painter himself? Or a pumping station, solitary on the edge of the polder, a reference to humanity’s ongoing struggle with water. The paintings invite us to reflect on the collaboration between human and nature.
Image 2: Dirk Breed, Oil-paint on canvas, widespread winter landscape with ice-skater
Two self-portraits are particularly striking: one made at age 26 (1946) and another at age 78 (1998). These portraits show the painter’s development—from a searching young artist with deep admiration for Vincent van Gogh to a mature painter with a unique expressive colour palette. Both portraits will be on display at the sales exhibition.
Image 3: Dirk Breed, oil-painting on canvas, Self-portrait 1946 in style of Vincent van Gogh
Lia Breed
Works by Lia Breed (1928–2017) are also featured in the exhibition. Although she initially studied painting at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, she ultimately became captivated by ceramics. Lia always wanted to “paint” with soft, harmonious colours and to shape forms in such a way that you could almost feel their presence in space. Ceramics offered her this possibility. She chose not to take formal lessons, allowing herself to develop her art freely, without outside influence. She was an explorer, always in motion. For her, ceramics was “a search that never ends.”
Where Lia’s work vibrates with earthly joy, Dirk’s is melancholic and at times almost otherworldly. Their work complements each other precisely for this reason: Dirk’s paintings—the quiet force of intangible nature—and Lia’s ceramics—the lively malleability and elemental use of the earth—enhance and strengthen one another.
The Van Schaik Family
Wim and Hella van Schaik were close friends of the artist couple. They were admirers of their work and witnessed the artistic development of Dirk and Lia Breed up close. The works they collected over many years are now on display in this exhibition. It is an impressive collection, and one of the reasons the artist was able to continue painting. As a patron, Van Schaik provided support and enabled the creation of many works.
The opening of the sales exhibition Dirk Breed: From the Collection of a Patron will take place on 20 December at 12:00. The exhibition is further open on 20 and 21 December, and on 26, 27 and 28 December, from 13:00 to 17:00, or by appointment, at Kunstconsult in Zaandam.
Text by: Ariane Waitz
