MARIUS KOLVOORT illustrated for more than half a century books and magazines about wildlife. The artist, who was born on the 31st of January, draws particularly birds. His preference for these animals is no surprise as also his father was interested in birds and possessed a large birdhouse. With him, Marius took long walks in the countryside around Lochem, his place of birth. The local area, called ”Achterhoek”, was at the time nearly undamaged. Inspired by drawings from JAN VAN OORT in ”Het Vogelboekje” of JAC. P. THIJSSE, he started, at the age of nine, with taking his first steps on the path of drawings birds. When he was only twelve he got his first sketch book. With a pencil and a brush, Marius depicted the flora and fauna on paper; in warm colours and true to nature, ”because the nature is so complete that nothing needs to be added to it.”

In 1955, Kolvoort becomes ‘by accident’ art teacher. ”I was sitting in the tramcar with a colleague and I was telling him how difficult it was to get a job as an art teacher. Coincidentally, the director of the ”Arnhemse Rijkskweekschool” was sitting behind me and was listening to the conversation. He directly offered me a fulltime job! I could teach art, art history and biology.”

Kolvoort makes his pupils draw various animals since ”in this way they get to know the names.” The teacher, who taught until 1970, was extremely productive. During half a century, he illustrated various books and magazines about wildlife.
The illustrator was proud at the awards that he got over the years. His modesty, however, tempered his enthusiasm. In 1964, he received the “Heimans- and Thijsse” award and in 1986, ZKH PRINS BERNHARD conferred him the ”Merit of Conservation Award”, which is one of the highest distinctions of the World Nature Fund.

With eighteen other wildlife illustrators and –artist he participated in the process of writing/illustrating a book about Prince Bernard with the title ”Prince Bernard as a Wildlife Protector”. This book was published on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the prince and contains a goache of Koolvoort. ”I found it nice to show others the beauty of wildlife art. I have worked quite a lot, but it was all done on a charitable base.” At the 27th of February 1998, Marius Johannes Christiaan Kolvoort passes away at the age of 91 years, in Arnhem.