Maurice Bauer

Marius Alexander Jacques Bauer (25 January 1867 – 18 July 1932) was a Dutch painter, etcher, and lithographer, renowned for his vibrant Orientalist scenes. His art, infused with an Impressionistic style and influenced by the Hague School, often depicted exotic locales and subjects inspired by his extensive travels. 

Bauer was born in The Hague to a family involved in the arts—his father was a stage painter, and his brother Willem Cornelius Bauer became an architect. Marius’ father encouraged his interest in drawing from an early age. From 1878 to 1885, Bauer studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, under the direction of Jan Philip Koelman. However, he found Koelman's approach too conservative and left without completing his degree. Despite this, Bauer received a stipend from King William III, which allowed him to continue his studies independently.

Bauer's interest in Orientalism was sparked during a study trip to Istanbul in 1888, financed by the art dealership Van Wisselingh & Co. This journey marked the beginning of numerous trips to exotic locales, including Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, India, Ceylon, and the Dutch East Indies. These travels provided the inspiration and subject matter for much of his artwork. He frequently worked as an illustrator, including for the literary journal De Kroniek, for which he covered the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II.

Bauer's talent earned him widespread recognition. In 1894, he won a first-class medal at the Exposition Internationale d'Anvers, and two years later, he was awarded the prestigious Willink van Collenprijs. His work continued to be exhibited internationally, including at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, where he received the Grand Prix, and at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

Marius Bauer passed away in 1932 due to a stroke. His artistic legacy, particularly his evocative depictions of the Orient, has continued to be celebrated. In 1996, the Bauer Documentatie Stichting (BDS) was established to raise awareness of his work and further research his artistic sources. Today, Bauer's influence is remembered, and a street in Amsterdam's Overtoomse Veld neighborhood is named in his honor.