Painting By Sal Meijer

Salomon "Sal" Meijer (Amsterdam, December 6, 1877 – Blaricum, February 1, 1965) was a Dutch painter, best known for his paintings of cats and Amsterdam cityscapes. Born into a Jewish diamond workers' family, he initially worked in the diamond industry while studying art. In 1914, he decided to fully dedicate himself to painting, with his first solo exhibition held in 1926.
Life and Career
In 1930, Meijer married Liesje Giehl, a non-Jewish woman, which caused tensions with his family. As a result, he moved to Blaricum in 1931, a village known for its vibrant artist community. During the German occupation in World War II, Meijer was prohibited from exhibiting his work, but he survived the war due to his mixed marriage.
Artistic Style and Legacy
Meijer’s paintings are often described as "naive" and "primitive" due to their simplicity and his humble approach to his craft, which he considered more of a trade than art. However, a reevaluation of his work began in 1957 with the publication of the article "Onze grootste moderne primitief - Schilder van betekenis" (Our Greatest Modern Primitive – Painter of Importance) by Kasper Niehuis. This was followed by the 1986 book "Sal Meijer, zo naïef nog niet" (Sal Meijer, Not So Naive) by Agnes Grondman and the 1990 publication "Sal Meijer: Raphaël der katten" (Sal Meijer: Raphael of Cats) by Nicole Ex, focusing specifically on his cat paintings.
Recognition
Meijer’s works can be seen in notable institutions, including the Jewish Historical Museum and the Cat Cabinet in Amsterdam, highlighting his enduring legacy in Dutch art.



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