Sunday, November 10, 2013

Frank DeBruin Valerius

Some time back, I wrote a post about a painting by Valerius (Frank DeBruin Valerius) that I inherited from my mother. Here's a link to that post. The painting in that post remains special to me, in particular because the child's expression, her tear, just seem perfect.

Anyway, Lucie DeBruin, the painter's daughter, kindly sent me some snapshots of other paintings by her father, Frank DeBruin Valerius, who is still painting at the age of 93. Good for him!

The snapshots that Lucie sent me appear below. I did a little fiddling around on them with The GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), but obviously I wasn't able to do a professional job. See what you think.

Try clicking on the pictures to get a somewhat larger view. The escape key ("Esc", usually in the upper left of the keyboard) should bring you back here. Your browser may vary.

The first two paintings below are apparently from when Valerius was in Guatemala.



The following painting is of Lucie's grandmother.


I was pleasantly surprised to stumble on the item below. Google is awesome, making old newspapers searchable on the Web. Amazing. Click the image for a larger view of my "clipping", or  here's a link to Google's archive of that edition of the Miami Daily News.


Now that I know Valerius' full name, I did a Google search (1) (2). The first hit I looked at was this, then this:


Then I found another clipping about the Ike portrait (again thanks to Google's digitizing of old newspapers). Sounds like Frank is a very nice guy.



More power to you Frank! Thanks Lucie!

Cheers from Phoenix. Steve

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Steve, I have four Valerius paintings from his years in Guatemala. I'd like to find a way to add m little collection to what already is online, but I'm not of the techie generation. So, it might take time. Paul

m.thontal said...

Dear Steve,

I read your artikel about the 98% red hammer after i wasn't interested in the test and had spoiled it.

I was wondering what copyright that background of your blog is.
The paper / background combination looks just so awesome.
Can I use it for a presentation and/or personal/business websites that do not use any advertisements?

Please respond:

m.th@eclipso.de

Kind Regards,

Michael Thontal

Jasmine Prachter said...

We own several of Frank’s paintings. My father was a very close friend for over 30 years with approx 8 paintings. Mainly beautiful /striking landscapes and portraits depicting the Guatemalan Native Indian culture. Would love to share but not sure how😊 if anyone is interested

Jasmine Prachter said...

Would love to see your paintings and also share mine. I know he painted many. As well that his father was also a famous painter. There must be more and I am sure they are worth a lot of money. First, his many years as a planter and Dutch art family background. Second as his painting technique, use of colour, style, and themes are so incredibly unique and well sought after by prominent Guatemalan families in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s

Angel Lehnhoff said...

My name is Angel Lehnhoff. I inherited a beautiful painting by Frank VonBruin Valerius. It was commissioned by my great uncle in Guatemala. I believe in the 60s or 70s. My grandfather referred to it as “beautiful” and commented that it was “taboo”. I later learned it was of a Chichicastenango Cofradias. Maybe at the time it was culturally forbidden to replicate his image? It’s been in private collection since it’s conception. Would love to exchange photos with anyone else who owns his artwork. Nicelashesnaples@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

*Frank DeBruin Valerius… just correcting the auto correct that misspelled his name.
Angel Lehnhoff