Willem Frederik (Jits) Bakker was born on 6 July 1937 in Renkum, during a turbulent period in Dutch history. His youth was heavily influenced by the Second World War: his father was active in the resistance and was executed in Camp Vught. Jits experienced the Allied airborne landings at Arnhem, which left a deep impression on him. After the war, he was housed in Friesland and spent a year in Sweden to recover from the hardships he had experienced. He later incorporated these experiences from the war years into his art, visible in works such as Remember September '44, in which his memories of the war play a prominent role.
After primary school, Jits attended a trade school, where he specialised as a decorative painter. He then studied at the graphic school in Utrecht, after which he started working as a graphic designer at De Grontmij, an engineering firm that had been located in the Houdringe country house in De Bilt since 1954. When Bakker established himself as an independent artist in 1969, his studio De Kooi was only a few hundred metres from Houdringe. A sculpture park was later set up nearby on the Beerschoten estate, where no fewer than thirty-one of his sculptures can be admired. In addition to his studio in the Netherlands, Bakker also had workspaces in Portugal and the Ardennes.
Although Bakker became best known as a sculptor, his other artistic activities were at least as important. He loved drawing, painting and watercolouring, preferably outdoors. His works were characterised by strong emotions, powerful colours and bold brushstrokes. His style evolved from late-impressionist to expressionist and fauvist. Glass mosaic was another medium in which he could express his creativity, thanks to the way in which colour enriched his three-dimensional forms. He also made jewellery, medals and small sculptures.
Bakker's sculptures often feature themes such as youth, dance and sports, as can be seen in works such as Olympiad Dancers, Cycling Game and Tour Riders. In addition, he drew inspiration from Greek mythology. This is clearly visible in the sculpture park with groups such as Adonis and Aphrodite, Leda and the Swan and Theseus and Ariadne, as well as on the roundabout on the Hessenweg, where the statue Europa and the Bull is located.
Jits Bakker exhibited his works not only in the Netherlands, but also internationally, including in Portugal, Spain, the United States and France. His versatility and talent made him a beloved artist, until his death on 5 June 2014. His legacy lives on in his countless works, which continue to touch the hearts of many art lovers.
