Jitske Schols (b. 1969) is a Dutch visual artist based in Amsterdam. With a background in communications, she combines her interest in people and their stories with her love for painting. Schols’ work focuses on telling lost or untold ‘HERstories’ as a counterpoint to the dominant narratives of men in ‘HIStory.’ Her approach acknowledges the intersectional dimensions of these women’s lives, exploring how race, class, gender, sexuality and other identities shaped their experiences and contributions.

She often works on long-term projects where she thoroughly researches her subjects, uncovering their layered identities, and is inspired to create paintings that give voice to their stories. Her paintings are never a true reflection of what has been but rather an interpretation interwoven with the artist’s personal memories, experiences, and emotions. While she has no illusions about capturing an entire life in a series of paintings, delving into the lives of these extraordinary women inspires her to create meaningful artworks and provides her with opportunities for personal growth.

Frieda Belinfante, for example, showed Schols to be courageous. Caresse Crosby’s story tells that you should do the things that you are passionate about, no matter what the world thinks – although the hedonistic lifestyle does not really appeal to the artist ;-). From Nynke Postma she learned that loyalty is priceless. Her own great-grandmother taught her the importance of independence and Eunice Foote showed that it is wise to get off the beaten track every now and then. One by one these women have become important coaches for the artist. 

Artistic approach
Jitske tells forgotten women’s stories is to restore these narratives to our collective memory, creating a more balanced and inclusive picture of the past. As mentioned, her artworks are not reconstructions but interpretations; they generate a dialogue between past and present, inviting the viewer to rediscover these forgotten and intersectional stories.

Her work is rooted in research. Each project begins with an in-depth study of the women she portrays, drawing from historical sources, letters, photographs, and personal testimonies to form a picture of their

lives and context. She then translates these stories into series of paintings where she distorts time and space. By introducing anachronistic elements—objects or events that do not belong to the woman’s historical period—she creates an alienation effect that encourages the viewer to look beyond the historical context and consider how these stories remain relevant to our contemporary society.

The figures in her paintings are often neutral in facial features, lacking clear individual traits. This choice compels the viewer to fill in the gaps themselves, encouraging open interpretation. She aims not to pass judgment but to create space for different perspectives on the past. Through this objective approach, viewers can reflect on social structures that existed then, but which still resonate today. The goal of her work is not only to remember but to raise awareness and contribute to critical thinking about how we view history and gender.

Techniques and material
Her painting technique is based on a combination of traditional methods and an intuitive, experimental approach. She often use muted colors, typically in partially desaturated or earthy tones, to evoke a timeless atmosphere that complements the historical themes she explores. The mood of her work is partly inspired by 19th-century artists connected to the historic estate of Ewijckshoeve, where she grew up. The melancholic and sober works of artists like Willem Witsen, Piet Meiners and W.B. Tholen and other artist (painters, writers, musicians) who have worked there between 1880 – 1920, have had a lasting influence on her work, though this may not be immediately apparent.

Schols gained recognition as a photographer winning the Dutch National Portrait Prize in 2017. During covid lockdown she exchanged her camera for the brush and dedicated herself to painting. Her work has been exhibited and published internationally and she has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work, including the Canon Zilveren Camera and a retrospective exhibition of her paintings in a Dutch museum. Works by Schols are included in several corporate and museum collections.