Cornelis Kloos

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameCornelis•Kloos
Used nameCornelis•Kloos
Born11 November 1895 in Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland (NED)
Died8 April 1976 in Den Haag (The Hague), Zuid-Holland (NED)
NOC Netherlands

Biography

Dutch painter Cornelis Kloos took part in three consecutive Olympic Games in the art competitions, 1928-36. He mainly painted figures, especially female nudes, and landscapes and also worked as a sculptor. In a realistic style he painted mainly erotic nudes, with young girls as models. He first passed the qualifying examination for mining engineer at the Technical University in Delft but then studied at the Academy for Fine Arts in Den Haag, and then went to Paris and later to München, attending the Hans-Hofmann-School for Fine Arts. His paintings are said to have a personal look and a very special, pictorial sensibility.

Kloos’ entry Springende meisjes from 1934 is lost, but a reproduction survived. Allegedly, the German Minister for Propaganda Goebbels wanted to buy the painting after the exhibition. However, Kloos was supposed to change the dark-haired girls into blond ones, which he refused. The purchase then did not occur.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Art Competitions NED Cornelis Kloos
Painting, Paintings, Open (Olympic) AC
1932 Summer Olympics Art Competitions NED Cornelis Kloos
Painting, Unknown Event, Open (Olympic) AC
1936 Summer Olympics Art Competitions NED Cornelis Kloos
Painting, Drawings And Water Colors, Open (Olympic) AC