Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Johfra Bosschart?

Johfra Bosschart (1919–1998) was a Dutch artist best known for his "Fantastic Realism" and his mastery of esoteric symbolism. Born Franciscus Johannes Gijsbertus van den Berg, he is celebrated for bridging the techniques of the Old Masters with the psychological depth of 20th-century Surrealism.

What is the origin of the name "Johfra"?

The name is a pseudonym adopted in 1945. It is an inversion of the first syllables of his two given names: JOHannes and FRAnciscus. He adopted this name after World War II to mark a new beginning in his artistic life.

What happened to his early work?

On March 3, 1945, during the German occupation of the Netherlands, an Allied bombing raid targeting the Haagse Bos accidentally destroyed Johfra's parental home. Approximately 400 paintings and 1,000 drawings—virtually his entire output up to that point—were incinerated. Johfra famously described this tragic loss as a "liberation," as it freed him from his apprentice work and allowed him to start fresh.

Was Johfra a Surrealist?

While often categorized as a Surrealist, Johfra had a complex relationship with the movement. He acknowledged the influence of artists like Salvador Dalí but found the Surrealist focus on the chaotic, irrational unconscious to be limiting. He preferred the terms "Fantastic Realism" or "Meta-realism", aiming to depict a structured spiritual reality that exists alongside the material world, rather than just dreamscapes.

What is "Meta-realism"?

"Meta-realism" is a term coined in 1973 by the art critic Hein Steehouwer to describe the work of Johfra and his circle (including Ellen Lórien and Diana Vandenberg). It literally means "next to realism" or "beyond realism." The movement sought to depict the spiritual and material worlds as coexisting realities.

What was his relationship with Salvador Dalí?

Johfra met Salvador Dalí in Port Lligat, Spain, in 1959. While Johfra deeply admired Dalí's technical mastery—comparing it to that of Leonardo da Vinci—he was personally disillusioned by the meeting. He found Dalí to be "tragic" and consumed by "boundless vanity," noting in his diary that he missed "every trace of joy and humor" in the Spanish master.

Why is the Zodiac series his most famous work?

Commissioned in 1973 by poster magnate Engel Verkerke, the Zodiac series became a cultural phenomenon in the 1970s, adorning walls worldwide and becoming an icon of the "New Age" movement. The posters introduced millions to Johfra's work, though he often felt they overshadowed his more serious, hermetic paintings.

Is it true he painted them in reverse?

Yes. Johfra painted the twelve signs of the Zodiac in reverse order over the course of a year, beginning with Pisces and ending with Aries. This retrograde path reflects a spiritual return to the source.

What symbolism did he use?

Johfra's Zodiac is not merely astrological; it is a synthesis of Kabbalah, Alchemy, Tarot, and Neoplatonism. For example, his Scorpio features an alchemical furnace (Athanor) symbolizing transformation, while Leo depicts the heart as a central spiritual organ.

Did Johfra belong to a secret society?

In 1953, Johfra and his first wife, Diana Vandenberg, joined the Lectorium Rosicrucianum, a modern Gnostic spiritual school in Haarlem. For a decade, his art was deeply influenced by their doctrine of "Transfiguration." He left the brotherhood in 1962, eventually moving toward a more personal form of Pantheism and nature worship in his later years.

Who were his muses?

Are his diaries available?

Yes. Johfra was a meticulous diarist, writing from 1938 until his death in 1998. His journals span approximately 6,000 pages and 20 volumes. Excerpts are published in his autobiography, Symphonie Fantastique, and the biographical work Hoogste lichten en diepste schaduwen (Highest Lights and Deepest Shadows).