The painter Jan Wilhelm Makkes was born as the second child in a family in Amsterdam in 1935. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to Santpoort. His father was a decoration painter and advertising artist. At school, Jan was a rebellious student. Eventually, he decided to attend the Kunstnijverheidsschool in Amsterdam. It didn’t take long before he dropped out. He got his training in the Rijksmuseum, where he was admitted without having to partake in an entrance exam due to his well-stocked folder with drawings. Jan Makkes felt strongly connected with Vincent van Gogh. He greatly admired the work of that artist. In terms of character, he felt there were similarities. "Van Gogh painted the light," said Makkes. Drama, dynamism and sensitivity radiate from his work. I always hope that people find that in my work as well. At least that's what I try to convey on the canvas: light, colour, drama and dynamics. The journey that Makkes made along the places where Van Gogh had worked was a kind of pilgrimage for him.