Huib Luns

Huibert Marie Luns (6 June 1881, Paris – 24 February 1942, Amsterdam) was a Dutch painter, sculptor and writer. He also designed book covers, posters and medals.

Shortly after his birth, his parents returned to Amsterdam. His interest in art was inspired by a visit to the studios of Lawrence Alma-Tadema, a Dutch painter who lived in London. He received his first drawing lessons from the brothers Antoon [nl] and Theo Molkenboer, then went to the Rijksnormaalschool [nl] for arts and crafts in Amsterdam and served an internship at the Rijksakademie.^[1]

He established his first studio in Brussels, where his parents were then living, and became a member of Pour L'Art; an association of young artists. While there, he worked with the Belgian sculptor, Charles van der Stappen.^[2] In 1904, he entered the Prix de Rome competition, but his friend, Jan Sluijters, was the winner. That same year, he was a runner-up for the Willink van Collenprijs.^[2] Four years later, he became a teacher at the Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten en Technische Wetenschappen (now known as the "Willem de Kooning Academie") in Rotterdam.^[1]

In 1909, he married Harriet Louvrier (1889-1977), from Tongeren.^[1] They had six children, including Joseph Luns, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1952-1971) and Secretary-General of NATO (1971-1984).

In 1917 Luns was appointed as principal of the Koninklijke School voor Kunst, Techniek en Ambacht^[3] He remained in this position for five years. In 1923, he became Director of the Rijksnormaalschool, a position formerly held by Willem Molkenboer (Antoon and Theo's father). He was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1930.^[2] The following year, he was named a Professor of history painting and sculpture at the Technische Hogeschool Delft, where he remained until his retirement.

Despite his administrative and teaching duties, he continued to be active as a painter and writer of art-related books. He also created a statue to commemorate the French refugees who died in the Netherlands during World War I; located in Maastricht.^[1]

Luns' work was included in the 1939 exhibition and sale Onze Kunst van Heden (Our Art of Today) at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.^[4]

• De Rubens-symfonie (1927, Van Munster's) Full text @ DBNL
• Tien wandelingen in Napels & Sicilië (1928, W.L. en J. Brusse) Picture of cover @ Goodreads
• Spaansche schilders (1932, W.L. en J. Brusse)
• Holland schildert (1941, Strengholt) Full text @ DBNL
• Jan Sluijters (1941, Palet-serie, H.J.W. Becht)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Huib Luns.

• ArtNet: More works by Luns.