Painter of religious and visionary works, teacher, born Amsterdam, son of artist and musician Jean Charles Pierre Houthuesen (pronounced Howthozen, stress on second syllable). When her husband encouraged Albert to paint, his mother struck Jean Charles on the head, and he died from the blow not long after. This tragedy, poor health and poverty pursued Albert Houthuesen for years, long after the family had moved to London in 1912. Albert was naturalised 10 years later. After leaving elementary school aged 14 he did a number of pointless jobs, studying at St Martin’s School of Art evening classes, 1917–23. Won scholarship to Royal College of Art, 1923, studying there until 1927. Four years later married painter Catherine Dean. Taught at the Working Men’s College, 1928–36, then after the war, when he was a draughtsman in locomotive works in Doncaster, at St Gabriel’s College.