His father "Piet" was a coachman, but his grandfather (father of his mother: Hulzing) was coach builder and the first inspiration source for the young Viegers. In the workshop of granddad Hulzing he learned drawing, paint mixing/blending and decorating. After elementary school he became apprentice in the coach workshop.
The artist Ben Viegers is an auto-didact, there is no proof that he ever registered for an official education/academy to develop his artistic talents. In the first years he was coached and guided by his friend Charles (Carel Bernardus) Dankmeijer (1861-1923).
As starting professional painter, Viegers had a contract with the Haagse art-gallery Koch that ensured him a guarenteed monthly income. A lot of his early work was mainly bought by tourists and visitor from the USA.
In 1938 Ben Viegers and his wife Josina Maria (Jo) Jacobs move to Nunspeet [dutch village] where they live at the Brinkersweg in a old badly maintained house that Viegers himself rebuilds/refurbishes.
Signature
When Worldwar-II starts Viegers thinks he will be more save behind the "Dutch Waterlinie" and moves to Castricum/Bakkum and later Hilversum.
In 1943 he returns to Nunspeet to live once again in an old (badly maintained) house at the Laan 43.
He is mainly inspired by the "Veluwe" [Dutch region with forests and farmland] and the villages around the "Zuiderzee". [this inland-sea actually was "closed" to claim new land, and is now known as IJsselmeer] As a real "pleinairist" he travelled a lot to paint in plein-air. In the beginning by bike and train later on a Harley Davidson (3-seat) and the last year in a DKW [European make car]. With a happy and bright palet, Viegers paints city-scapes, landscapes and farm-yards on canvas, wood or board.
Viegers made only one trip abroad together with his friend Henk van Leeuwen and Jaap Hiddink, to Brittanny and Normandy (Concarneau).
Viegers paints fast and creates a lot of artpieces. His total oeuvre is estimated at least at 350 oilpaintings alone. A lot of his work is in Germany and about 15% is known to be in the United States.
During rebuilding his house at the Laan 43 Viegers tries to lift a heavy window-frame, gets a heart-attack and dies shortly after.
Although this website sometimes mentions prizes of artworks, is this website NOT for SELLING or BUYING artwork.
If you happen to have more information about Ben Viegers, or pictures of his work, we wellcome you to send them to us.
A simple email will be enough. We welcome any kind of respons/suggestions (in French, German, Dutch, Afrikaans or English)
