Hans Bayens

‘The sculptor of Dutch literature’ is what Hans Bayens (1924-2003) is often called. His figurative, monumental works in public spaces are widely loved and well-known. He studied at the National Higher Institute for Fine Arts in Antwerp, after which he moved to Paris. In 1952, Bayens settled permanently in Amsterdam. Besides being a portraitist, he was also an interpreter of various scenes from daily life. Moreover, Bayens was not only a versatile sculptor who knew how to bring terracotta, plaster, and bronze to life, but also an extraordinarily gifted ‘impressionistic’ painter and draftsman with an extensive repertoire of subjects in which humans and human life were central. Bayens liked to delve deeply into his subjects for extended periods. By looking and observing, he learned to know all their specific characteristics well. This resulted in well-captured sculptures that convincingly tell their story through their characterization and human expression.