Jits Bakker
{{Short description|Dutch visual artist (1937–2014)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jits Bakker
| image = Jits Bakker - A88.jpg
| caption = Sundance (1998), Loulé Algarve-Portugal
| birth_name = Willem Frederik Bakker
| birth_date = July 6, 1937
| death_date = June 5, 2014 (aged 76)
| website = {{URL|jitsbakkercollectie.com}}
}}
Willem Frederik "Jits" Bakker (1937 – 2014) was a Dutch sculptor, painter, visual artist, watercolorist, draftsman, and silversmith.{{Cite web |last=de Kruijff |first=Nils |date=2023-03-10 |title=Zoveelste roof van kunstwerk Jits Bakker snijdt door ziel van zoon Tibo: ‘Alsof ze een kind van je wegnemen’ |url=https://www.ad.nl/de-bilt/zoveelste-roof-van-kunstwerk-jits-bakker-snijdt-door-ziel-van-zoon-tibo-alsof-ze-een-kind-van-je-wegnemen~a7140bc7/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Algemeen Dagblad |language=nl}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-08 |title=Standbeeld de Tourrenners in aanloop naar Vuelta geplaatst op Ledig Erf in Utrecht |url=https://www.duic.nl/cultuur/standbeeld-de-tourrenners-in-aanloop-naar-vuelta-geplaatst-op-ledig-erf-in-utrecht/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=De Utrechtse Internet Courant |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title=85 Jaar kunstenaar Jits Bakker |url=https://www.stadwageningen.nl/lokaal/overig/838462/85-jaar-kunstenaar-jits-bakker |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.stadwageningen.nl |language=nl}}
Career
Jits Bakker was a prolific artist whose career spanned over five decades. Primarily a sculptor, working with bronze and marble, he was also skilled in painting, glasswork, graphic design, and jewelry making. His work earned him international recognition through commissions from both the Netherlands and other countries.{{Cite web |title=Bakker, Willem Frederik ('Jits'); |url=https://museumveluwezoom.nl/biografie/bakker-willem-frederik-jits/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Museum Veluwezoom |language=nl-NL}}
Bakker's artistic style ranged from expressive and energetic to quiet and introspective. The human form was his central theme, and he drew inspiration from classical mythology, music, dance, and sports.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-12 |title=Informatie over Jits Bakker |url=https://vanberkelbeelden.pictures/beeldhouwers/a-i/jits-bakker/informatie/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=KIJKEN NAAR BEELDEN |language=nl-NL}}
Honors
Jits Bakker received numerous honors and accolades throughout his career, including:
- Ereburger (Honorary Citizen) of Turku, Finland (2008)
- Ereburger (Honorary Citizen) of Renkum, Netherlands (2014)
- Ereburger (Honorary Citizen) of Loulé, Portugal (2006)
His artwork was also collected by various world leaders and prominent figures, including members of the British and Dutch royal families.
Bakker's achievements extended beyond his sculptures. A film portrait titled "Bronze Alive" about Bakker, directed by Tom Manders Jr., won the De Golden Image Award in New York in 1978. He also received the Movado Museum Prize in 1995.
Jits Bakker was awarded the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) "Sport and Art Award" posthumously in December 2014. This award acknowledged his work in promoting the Olympic values and their importance to sports.
Gallery
File:Peuters Jits Bakker Lundlaan Utrecht.JPG|Peuters (1999), Utrecht
File:Jits Bakker - Kunststuk.jpg|Krachtmeting (1974), Ede
File:Europa en de Stier Jits Bakker Hesenweg De Bilt.JPG|Europa en de Stier (1998), De Bilt
File:Jits Bakker - Beeld7.jpg|Sun in the Wings (2008), Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
File:Assen - Jits Bakker - Pauze 01.jpg|Pauze (1982), Provincial Library Center in Assen
File:Karnster Jits Bakker Nieuwstad Waag Leeuwarden.JPG|Karnster (1979), Nieuwstad behind the Waag, in Leeuwarden
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References
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