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THE TOWER OF MOULIN DU PEUCH
PERIGORD NOIR
1973 - 1983
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In June of 1973, Johfra and Ellen bought an abandoned mill in Fleurac, Dordogne, a region of south-western France known as Perigord Noir. Over the course of a year, they converted the mill into their new home, Moulin du Peuch. In this rustic setting, the two would live and paint together for the remainder of their lives.
The Perigord Noir period is characterized by increasing recognition both in Holland and abroad. This began with the touring exhibition of The Seven Meta-Realists in May of 1974. Suddenly, Johfra, Diana Vandenberg, Ellen Lórien, Victor Linford, Han Koning, Johan Hermsen and Frans Erkelens were the centre of a lot of media attention in Holland and Belgium. A book by Hein Steehouwer further promoted the group (De Zeven Metarealisten), as did a book exclusively dedicated to Johfra by Pierre Borgue (Johfra, op de grenzen fan het avontuur).
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THE META-REALISTS
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The number of commissions increased. In December of 1973, Engel Verkerke commissioned the twelve Zodiac pictures from the artist, while Walter Kamp commissioned a cycle of seven paintings called The Maldoror Series.
In his new studio in the tower of Moulin du Peuch, Johfra worked hard and fast. By April of 1974, he had completed Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. Four months later, in August, he completed Scorpio and Libra. In October and November came Sagittarius and Capricorn. January 1975 witnessed the birth of Aquarius, and in the following months he completed Pisces, Aries, Gemini, and Taurus.
These twelve paintings, which are now known throughout the world, manifest Johfra’s skills as a painter just when he had reached new heights of accomplishment. Thanks to years of study at the Lectorium Rosicrucianum, his grasp of the astrological symbols was profound.
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