He was the son of a house painter. From 1881 to 1887, he was enrolled at the Royal Academy of Art, but left without completing his studies. In 1890, his friend Jan Toorop introduced him to the work of the Belgian art group, "Les XX", who he exhibited with. Two years later, Joséphin Péladan gave him a similar introduction to the "Salon de la Rose + Croix". Much of his painting, in the Symbolist style, was done during this period, from 1891 to 1895.