Nurture I 1930-1938
As of a young age Jan Montyn would be among artists. Jan Montyn's father, who had wanted to be a painter himself, but who was forced to run the family business after the death of his father, had many friends in the art world. Many of them would visit their house in Oudewater and would stay with them. Others would be visited upon traveling to other towns.

Nurture II 1930-1938
As of a young age Jan Montyn was faced with the fact that he was born in a strongly religious environment. Jan Montyn's father, who was very strict in applying the religious principles, set very clear rules of what was allowed at home and in life and what not. Jan Montyn would base later decisions on his feeling that he didn't belong to a strict environment like this.

Dreams 1934-1938
At a young age Jan Montyn dreamed to become a pilot. Many times he would ride tens of kilometers to admire the planes in Soesterberg, like the Fokker G1 with the colours of Finland spray-painted on them.

Identity and manipulation 1939
Beautiful pictures of war scenes with horses, tanks and smart looking boys in uniform provided unworldly Jan Montyn with a warm feeling, a feeling of wanting to belong. At a later age Jan Montyn would understand that reality was quite different than the pictures. But by then he would already be in combat.

Authority 1939
Strictly following the directives of his religion, which preached that one should fully obey to an authority, independent of which this authority is, Jan Montyn's father easily accepted the ruling of the Germans in The Netherlands. Other people joined the resistance, not just willing to accept the ruling. By nature Jan Montyn had never been interested in politics, so both models didn't attract him, as any other model wouldn't have. At an older age, Jan Montyn would become a world citizen, not being restricted by the directives of any authority, yet also not fighting them.

Subjectivity 1939
Jan Montyn is faced with a situation in which the person he admires (his father) is put in a negative spotlight, and local people start threatening Jan Montyn for this. At the same time Jan Montyn experiences people that are seen as evil (the German soldiers) live in peace and harmony with the local people. Throughout his life Jan Montyn will be faced with situations in which it is not clear what good and bad is. At a later age Jan Montyn would conclude that the way a person perceives good or bad mainly depends on the point of view that the person himself chooses to believe in.

Perspective 1996
Jan Montyn was faced with the wisdom that one is never too old to learn when, during a discussion, his uncle said "Jan, little boy, please sit down and listen for you don't yet understand". When his uncle spoke the wise words, he was 105 years old and "little" Jan Montyn was just 72.

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Safety 1939
While being threatened at home by the local youth, the group of boys he scouted provided Jan Montyn with a feeling of safety. Jan Montyn felt that he would rather be among strange people that provided him with this feeling than with known people that would scare him.

Decisions 1943-1944
Once Jan Montyn had turned 18 years old he was forced to choose his profession in war. The options were clear. One underlying decision that Jan Montyn had to make was to choose along the lines of the available options or to opt out, which would mean he would have to go undercover. Throughout his life, Jan Montyn has faced life as it came, has never run away from the responsibilities and has focused on facing and living with the consequences.

River of life 1939
After having been deployed in a factory, Jan Montyn realizes that he simply cannot work inside the surroundings of four walls. Combined with the situation in his hometown and his nature, this self-knowledge will ultimately result in Jan Montyn choosing to follow his own river of life.

Principles 1939-1944
As a soldier Jan Montyn learns there are directives in life that have been enforced by a higher ranked human being (or group of human beings), that are there and that simply can't be ignored. One is to understand the nature of such directives, must accept them and must find ways to deal with them while upholding them. Furthermore, directives that come from your superiors could put you in a loose-loose situation. In a typical war situation, coming within too close a range to the enemy will get you killed; not following orders, like crossing the imaginary line behind your own troops, will get you hanged or shot as a deserter.

Instinct 1939-1944
As a soldier Jan Montyn realizes that there is only one true thought on one's mind in a situation like that, which is "How do I survive?. During a one-on-one combat Jan Montyn is faced with a 'he or me' situation, which is typically to be survived by only one person. Fortunately for Jan Montyn it was he who survived.

Utter fear 1944
During the war Jan Montyn would end up in situations in which he was entirely at the mercy of outside factors, not being able to influence them in whatever manner. One of these moments was on a ship on the Baltic Sea that was going through a minefield. Another one was when Jan Montyn was standing in front of a firing squad which pulled the trigger, but appeared to have rifles without bullets. At a later age Jan Montyn would learn that one will never forget extreme moments in life like these, yet that life goes on and that one has to find ways to cope with it.

Death 1944
When a torpedo hit their vessel, two of Jan Montyn's comrades died. During the war Jan Montyn would see many colleagues and people die. Jan Montyn would learn that life is relative and that it can be over any moment. In 1968 Jan Montyn incorporated this lesson of life into a poem [ SEE HOMEPAGE ].

Social bonding 1945
At the end of World War II Jan Montyn was confronted with the atrocities that had taken place during the war by soldiers who had worn the same uniform as he had. At that moment in time, emotionally it made him as guilty as the ones who truly carried out the atrocities.

Destruction 1945
During the bombing of Dresden , Jan Montyn saw an entire world disappear. A similar experience Jan Montyn had in Cu Chi, Vietnam , with the bombings of the tunnels. Although it took years, mankind has shown the perseverance in rebuilding this place. Especially the positive attitude towards situations like this by the Asian people has continued to impress Jan Montyn.

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River of life II 1945-1948
Having survived the war scenes and the prison camps, Jan Montyn spontaneously signed up for the Foreign Legion. During a visit to Greece , Jan Montyn ended up in a civil war. Throughout his life Jan Montyn, by choice or by destiny, would end up in war and war-alike situations and would as such simply follow his river of life.

Understanding 1946
During a main part of his life, Jan Montyn was challenged by many about his war past. Surprisingly those that truly were involved in the war themselves, like Van Randwijk forgave Jan Montyn's for his war past. Jan Montyn would learn that people who would challenge him most were the ones that played insignificant roles themselves during the war or during life.

Compensation 1950
To compensate for his earlier war actions, Jan Montyn chose to sign up for the Korean War. Jan Montyn understood that compensating for actions that rightfully or not don't seem just to yourself, is a good way of finding balance in life and having a peaceful mind.

River of life III 1954-1957
Being an artist and a sergeant, Jan Montyn was requested to resurrect a museum. Using his experience and skills, Jan Montyn passionality executed the task that was close to his heart.

River of life IV 1958-today
Against the advice of many people, Jan Montyn decided to become a professional artist. Living his life that he simply had to live, Jan Montyn would go from dark hopeless situations to moments of victory in which he was recognized and in which his art works were exhibited all over the world. He would also continue to be involved in war-alike activities, like child and medicine transports. Until today Jan Montyn has lived *his* life, both for real and through his art.

Sincere advice 1958
Upon meeting each other, Anton Heyboer adviced Jan Montyn to start etching for the reason that it would fit his personality. He gave Jan Montyn some tools and instructions. After Jan Montyn had tried it out, he knew that this was an excellent advice. Etching would become Jan Montyn's main art form.

Jealousy 1975
Having been recognized for his art works, Jan Montyn star was rising. Completely unexpectedly Jan Montyn's war past appeared in the newspaper. Having found out Jan Montyn's status in life, an ex-colleague in Korea chose to reveal Jan Montyn's past. Jan Montyn would learn that jealousy is a nasty habit of people, and that the best way to deal with it is to ignore it. Furthermore, the public will ultimately decide the outcome, which is something that one should not underestimate.

Bosom friendship 1975
When time had come for Jan Montyn to step out of the world and to enter a monastery, he met the lady of his dreams, who has stood behind Jan Montyn for the remainder of his life. Together they had a daughter, Carolynne-Sireeh, who Jan Montyn describes as "the most beautiful art piece he has created in his entire life".

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[ Human encounters ] 1950 - 1988

Henk van Leeuwen, Ype Wenning 1930-1938
Jan Montyn's father had many friends in the art world. He would invite students of the The Hague Art School to come to Oudewater to paint the local scenery. They typically would sleep at Jan Montyn's house. Among the students were artists like Henk van Leeuwen and Ype Wenning. The latter would provide Hotel de Roos in Oudewater with beautiful frescos.

H.P. Bremmer 1938
During a visit to his aunt in The Hague, an acquaintance of Jan Montyn's father, Mr. Zieleman, sales representative of paint factory Tollens in Rotterdam, took Jan Montyn to meet Mr. Bremmer, a well-known art historian. Upon seeing his drawings, Mr. Bremmer encouraged Jan Montyn to continue drawing and to especially stick to his own style. It would provide Jan Montyn with a feeling of encouragement that he would carry with him his entire life.

Henk van Randwijk 1946
While being detained, Jan Montyn had a big desire to talk. During one of his weekend visits to Amsterdam he met Mr. van Randwijk, one of the most significant people in the resistance in the Netherlands during World War II. During the conversation that followed Van Randwijk asked Jan Montyn whether he had known what was going on. When Jan Montyn answered that he didn't know, Van Randwijk replied with "I believe you. You didn't know. But we knew. You must investigate as thoroughly as possible what happened, such that next time you will recognise it. Furthermore, you must help to rebuild a society in which things like this will not happen again. You are young. You must go on, but you cannot forget". Getting support from this side helped Jan Montyn tremendously.

Joop Glimmerveen 1950
One of Jan Montyn's colleagues in Korea was Joop Glimmerveen, who 25 years later would disclose Jan Montyn's war past to Dutch newspapers and who would send letters to galleries to stop exhibiting Jan Montyn's art works.

Anton Heyboer 1958
Anton Heyboer and Jan Montyn met in a bar on the Zeedijk in Amsterdam . They quickly became good friends and Anton Heyboer, who lived in The Oude Schans, would be a frequent visitor to The Kolk. Having seen his art works and knowing Jan Montyn, Anton Heyboer told Jan Montyn to become an etcher. To enforce his advice, he gave Jan Montyn a piece of zinc and a nail, and a brief instruction. Later he would give Jan Montyn his first press. Etching would become Jan Montyn's main art form.

Thom Gerrard 1961
In celebration of the 1960/1961 New Year around 300 people came and celebrated in The Kolk. While the party was in full swing, at 5am two men entered the building, accompanied by a young handsome man, called Thom. Jan Montyn and Thom would end up playing chess and talking for hours. When it was time to go home, Thom decided to stay with Jan Montyn. They would end up living together, traveling and sharing their lives for 4 years.

Daniel Gervis 1961
During one of his many visits to Paris, this time with Thom, Jan Montyn met Daniel Gervis, gallery owner and supplier of art works to other galleries. Daniel Gervis became one of the people Jan Montyn would have a long lasting working relationship with. The relationship has lasted until today.

Henri Kahnweiler and Heinz Berggruen 1964
The uncle of Anne Frank, Herbert Frank, who was an art historian and frequent buyer of Jan Montyn's art works, wanted Jan Montyn to go to Paris to meet Henri Kahnweiler. Henri Kahnweiler was known for discovering Picasso around 1910. Quite reluctantly Jan Montyn went to Paris to see 'the great' Henri Kahnweiler. After he had sufficiently encouraged himself, which was months later, Jan Montyn visited Henri Kahnweiler. Jan Montyn was welcomed in a most friendly manner. During the talk that followed, Henri Kahnweiler told Jan Montyn that he couldn't exhibit Jan Montyn's art works himself, but that he would introduce Jan Montyn to his good friend Heinz Berggruen. At that point in time Heinz Berggruen was already exhibiting Karel Appel and Corneille. During their first appointment, Berggruen immediately bought twenty of Jan Montyn's art works.

Picasso, Max Ernst and Karel Appel 1965-1966
In France Jan Montyn was introduced to an open, friendly atmosphere in the art world. Galleries would visit each other's openings; artists would be introduced to each other. After already showing his works to him, Heinz Berggruen introduced Jan Montyn to Picasso. They would meet several times. Around the same time Jan Montyn was also introduced to other artists, like Max Ernst and Karel Appel. The latter would visit Jan Montyn's house in France several times.

Elja 1965-1972 Jan Montyn moves and lives with Elja in Salernes, the south of France. Friends provide them with a ruin, which during a period of four years is rebuilt stone by stone.

Tjia Hien Nio 1975
When after the Vietnam War time had come for Jan Montyn to step out of the world and to enter a monastery, he visited the galleries to inform them. During the visit to Gallery Nicolas in Amsterdam, his eyes caught a beautiful Indonesian lady that was selling his art works. Although she didn't even notice Jan Montyn, Jan Montyn immediately changed his plans, went back to France to get everything in order, went to Vietnam for a child transport, and returned to Amsterdam six weeks later. Upon arrival he found out that the lady of his dreams was single; twenty-four hours later they lived together.

Dirk Ayelt Kooiman 1978
A After an earlier initial encounter, Jan Montyn and Dirk Ayelt Kooiman met each other on the FIAC, the international art exhibition in Paris. Via a mutual friend, Jeroen Henneman, they met up for dinner, where Jan Montyn shared a part of his life with Dirk Ayelt Kooiman. As of that day Jan Montyn and Dirk Ayelt Kooiman stayed in contact with each other. Dirk Ayelt Kooiman recommended Jan Montyn to have his story published, also to counter the negative publicity in the Dutch newspapers.

Roumpha 1988
During one of his many visits to Aranyaphatet, Thailand, this time for Medicines sans Frontières, Jan Montyn was having a drink in one of the local bars. The local bars were a common visit ground to anybody who was working there. While Jan Montyn was having a drink, a lady approached him to have a chat and a drink. The lady turned out not to be Thai, as Jan Montyn initially thought, but Cambodian. Her name was Roumpha. Jan Montyn would end up traveling with Roumpha, during which she told her story of life. A few years later Jan Montyn would publish an edition bibliophile in tribute to Roumpha. [SEE "THE COMMUNICATOR"]

Robert van Geyn 1999
While Jan Montyn was visiting one of his favourite bars in Bangkok, Henk Hoffman, the owner of the bar introduced him to Robert van Geyn, also a frequent visitor, with the idea that they would click with each other. In line with Henk Hoffman's idea, Jan Montyn and Robert van Geyn naturally started sharing experiences of life. Within the same week Jan Montyn and Robert van Geyn met again and they would meet many more times, each time discussing different elements of life. As a birthday present for his 80 th birthday, five years later Robert van Geyn would build an Internet site for Jan Montyn.

Jaques Dertiger 2000
After having seen Jan Montyn's work at an exhibition organized by Henri Hemmer in Thailand, and knowing about Jan Montyn's past, Jacques Detiger organized a meeting with Jan Montyn in Amsterdam. Jacques Detiger's feeling about Jan Montyn at that moment was: "Jan Montyn is a truly experienced person, has impressive stories to share, is known all over the world, knows the Dutch Royal family, has a extensive past, is a man who due to circumstances went through an enormous amount of difficulties that he had to carry along in his life that forced him to fight, and who subsequently had the time and the means of expression to complete the life cycle and to re-discover himself. He has had the opportunity that many others haven't had. In summary, he truly is someone. In line with this my feeling was that Jan Montyn did not receive the recognition that he deserved". Following his feeling, Jacques Detiger initiated a meeting between Jan Montyn and Jan Louter, which would later result in Jan Louter directing a documentary about Jan Montyn.

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