Born in The Hague in 1882 Conrad Kickert’s life intertwined with Paris. This plaque marks a significant chapter in his story. It commemorates his long residence and his artistic endeavors in this very building. From 1937 until his death in 1965 Conrad Kickert lived and worked here.
Conrad Kickert wasn’t just any artist. He was a self-taught painter a discerning art critic and a passionate collector. His early career blossomed in Domburg and Bergen in the Netherlands. There he associated with prominent figures like Jan Toorop. He was among the pioneers of Cubism in the Netherlands. In 1910 he co-founded the Modern Art Circle in Amsterdam. This group included influential artists such as Piet Mondriaan and Jan Sluyters. They aimed to shake up the Dutch art scene.
Paris however became his main stage. By 1912 he had settled in Paris near Denfert-Rochereau or perhaps on Boulevard Raspail. He frequented Montparnasse sharing a studio with his friend Lodewijk Schelfhout and the great Piet Mondrian. Imagine the creative energy in that shared space. He exhibited alongside renowned artists such as Georges Braque Henri Matisse and Maurice Vlaminck.
He even participated in exhibitions of the Russian avant-garde group The Knave of Diamonds. His works were shown in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. World War I disrupted his connection with the Russian avant-garde. He returned to The Hague. By 1919 he had permanently established himself in France specifically at 33 Rue Boissonade in Paris’s 14th arrondissement. He maintained ties to the Netherlands visiting regularly.
From the 1920s onward Conrad Kickert’s style evolved towards naturalism. He often depicted figures landscapes and still lifes. He favored palette knives over brushes creating unique textural effects. His fame was greater in France than in his native Netherlands. He even exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants and the Salon d’Automne. During World War II he spent time in the Cantal region of France.
This modest plaque stands as a tribute to a life devoted to art. It represents a legacy that extended across borders styles and decades. A testament to the enduring spirit of an artist who found his home and his inspiration in Paris. A reminder of a life dedicated to creativity and connection. Remember Conrad Kickert when you see this plaque. Remember his influence and his time in this very place.