In the words of writer Jac P. Thijsse: “The Jansberg near Mook, with its immediate surroundings is, botanically, one of the richest landscapes in the Netherlands, perhaps the richest”. Nature plays an important role in the work of most people and gives a picture of what was lost, through the war and through progress and tourism. In Plasmolen, many artists painted the beautiful surroundings. Many didn’t stay long, but others became fascinated by the moors, poor farms, fens, and woods, forever.

After studying at the Academy of Visual Arts in Düsseldorf and at the Rijksacademie van Amsterdam, Jacques van Mourik settled in Plasmolen, where he felt at home. The unspoilt nature, lumberjacks and poachers were his immediate inspiration from that moment. More academy friends followed, all painting in their own individual styles and with their own techniques. The village of Plasmolen (and surroundings) was one of the few Dutch painting villages and the only one in the province of Limburg. In September 2020 KunstLokaalMook opened – an initiative of the Jacques van Mourik Foundation. In this exhibition space you can find work from Jacques van Mourik’s personal collection and from his peers, including the other Plasmolian Colony painters. Local contemporary artists feature too.