Jan Ekels the Elder
The Quiet Observer of Amsterdam Born near the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam at Bierkaai, Jan Ekels the Elder grew up in a world defined by the scent of oil and pigment. His father operated a paint shop, a setting that likely steeped the young boy in the practicalities of the artist's craft from his earliest years. Though his family held to the Catholic faith, the specifics of his baptism remain a mystery to history. Life in the city was not…
The Lifeline
Scroll through Jan Ekels the Elder's working life — artwork by artwork, chapter by chapter — from the earliest dated work to the last. Each thumbnail is pinned at its exact year on the gold axis.
Chapters — Career Periods
The ribbon is divided into shaded bands, one per career chapter. Each chapter groups Jan Ekels the Elder's works by their historical period — early training, mature practice, final years.
Thumbnails — Dated Works
Every thumbnail is pinned at its precise creation year. A thin gold thread drops from the image to its exact point on the axis. Larger frames mark the artist's masterpieces by rank.
Colour Band — Movement Drift
The gradient bar beneath the axis shifts colour as the dominant art movement changes over time — from the warm golds of the early period through the deeper tones of maturity. It fills progressively as you scroll.