View of Haarlem with the St. Bavo Cathedral

Johannes Joseph Destrée (Laeken, March 27, 1827 – The Hague, March 17, 1888) was a Belgian painter renowned for his landscapes and beach scenes, created in a style closely related to Romanticism. Born in Laeken, Belgium, Destrée spent most of his professional life in the Netherlands, where he made significant contributions to the art scene.

Destrée studied at the Drawing Academy in The Hague under the tutelage of Bartholomeus van Hove and Andreas Schelfhout, whose influence is particularly evident in his work. Specializing in landscapes, his paintings often depicted scenes in and around The Hague and Scheveningen, but his artistic exploration also led him to the polders, the Veluwe, Oosterbeek near Arnhem, and Maastricht. Additionally, he traveled to Germany, working near Potsdam and other locations.

Destrée’s career was largely based in The Hague, where he was an active member of the Pulchri Studio, a prominent artists’ society. His work garnered international attention, with exhibitions across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Austria, and Germany. Notably, he exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1882, further establishing his reputation in the European art world.

Despite his extensive travels and exhibitions, Destrée remained closely connected to The Hague, where he lived for the majority of his life. His popularity was particularly notable in Germany, where his work was highly appreciated. Destrée passed away in The Hague on March 17, 1888, just shy of his 61st birthday.

Today, Johannes Joseph Destrée’s works are preserved in both private and public collections, reflecting his enduring legacy. Several of his paintings are displayed in renowned institutions such as the Teylers Museum, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. His contributions to landscape painting, marked by a distinctive Romantic style influenced by his mentors, continue to be celebrated and studied.

Notes: Destrée was a painter of landscapes and studied under master teachers Andreas Schelfhout and Bartholomeus Van Hove. After his studies, he moved to The Hague, Holland, and became a member of the artists’ group, Pulchri Studio. Exhibited extensively in Belgium, Holland, France, Austria, and Germany. Today, his paintings can be found in both private and public collections, including in The Hague Museum, Haarlem, and in Brussels Museums.

View of Haarlem with the St. Bavo Cathedral