Constant David Ludovic Artz (1870–1951) was a Dutch painter and watercolourist, best known for his atmospheric depictions of ducks in the Dutch landscape. His work is considered Dutch Impressionism and is loved for its tender and natural depiction of everyday life.
Constant Artz was born in Paris as the son of David Adolph Constant Artz (1837–1890), a prominent painter of the Hague School. In 1874, the family moved to the Netherlands, where Constant grew up in an artistic environment.
At a young age, he showed a talent for drawing and painting, which was encouraged by his father. In 1882, at the age of twelve, he enrolled at the Hague Academy of Fine Arts. He later worked in the studio of Tony Offermans, a painter influenced by Jozef Israëls. He also received guidance from Willem Maris, who had a lasting influence on his style and themes.
Under the influence of Willem Maris, Artz specialized in painting duck families in their natural environment. He observed the behavior of ducks closely and recorded this in countless variations, playing with composition, light and shadow.
His paintings are characterized by a soft, impressionistic touch and a warm, intimate atmosphere. In addition to oil paintings, he also made watercolors and drawings. Although he also painted landscapes with windmills and seascapes, the theme of ducks at the waterfront remained his most important subject.
Artz lived and worked mainly in Soest, with a five-year interval in Katwijk aan Zee. During the Second World War, he exchanged his paintings for food to support his family. In his later years, his eyesight deteriorated, which led to a looser, more impressionistic painting style. He died at the age of 80 in Soest.
His oeuvre remains a beloved example of Dutch Impressionism, with a focus on the beauty of everyday life.
