Abraham van Strij

Abraham van Strij and his brother, Jacob van Strij, were two of the most important artists in Dordrecht in the second half of the eighteenth century. Both trained first with their father, Leendert van Strij, a decorative painter. Abraham van Strij then continued his training with Joris Ponse, before studying at the Antwerp Academy in 1772. Until 1785, both brothers worked in their father's studio as decorative painters. They executed many scenes in grisaille in the style of Jacob de Witt, as in the Kuipershaven church in Dordrecht or the Ministry of Justice in The Hague. It was not until 1795 that the two artists began to make paintings and drawings for private collectors. Abraham specialized in genre scenes and portraits while Jacob devoted himself to landscapes. Both were inspired by Dutch painting of the seventeenth century, whose traditions they perpetuated.

Abraham van Strij distinguished himself quickly as an outstanding draftsman. His dexterity in the use of black and red chalk, wash and watercolor, allowed him to compose large, elaborate, detailed, and highly realistic drawings that described the daily life of Dordrecht in the eighteenth century. With other artists, he founded Pictura in 1774, a drawing society, which he was director of throughout his life. This society insisted upon the importance of drawing from life and its members met regularly for drawing sessions with live models.