Simon Willem Maris (May 21, 1873 – January 22, 1935) was a Dutch painter renowned for his portraits, particularly of elegant women. He was the son of Willem Maris, a celebrated landscape painter of the Hague School.
Born in The Hague, Simon Maris inherited his artistic talents from his father, Willem Maris. He began his formal training under his father's guidance and later studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague, followed by further studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. His quest for artistic growth led him to spend time in Brussels and embark on study trips to Paris and Italy.
In 1900, Maris settled in Amsterdam, where he became part of the city's vibrant artistic community. In 1903, he traveled to Spain with his close friend, the renowned artist Piet Mondrian. Over the following years, Maris frequently joined Mondrian and Arnold Marc Gorter to paint along the scenic Gein River, where he also captured Mondrian’s likeness in a portrait in 1906.
Maris gained fame primarily as a portrait artist, often commissioned to paint portraits of fashionable women. His subjects, however, were not limited to formal commissions; he also created more intimate portrayals of mothers and children, as well as women reading, often using his wife, Cornelia den Breejen, and their children as models. After marrying Cornelia in 1908, Maris spent summers painting in Zandvoort, where the coastal light and atmosphere deeply influenced his work.
His artistic range extended beyond portraits. He painted cityscapes, beach scenes, landscapes, and still lifes, blending both realism and impressionism. His keen eye for light, particularly the effects of sunlight, became a hallmark of his style. His work shares a striking affinity with that of Albert Roelofs, another Dutch artist and son of the Hague School's Willem Roelofs.
Maris was a prominent figure in Amsterdam's art circles during the early 20th century. He passed away in 1935 at the age of 61 in Amsterdam. His works are held in prestigious collections, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Dordrechts Museum, the Drents Museum in Assen, the Groninger Museum, the Municipal Museum of The Hague, and the Museum Arnhem. His best-known painting, Isabella (1906), remains a significant piece in the Rijksmuseum's collection.
Simon Maris's legacy endures through his diverse body of work, which continues to be celebrated for its warmth, realism, and artistic sensitivity.
