AUGUSTA — Artwork by Jacobus Baas is on display in Maine’s Capitol Complex as part of the Maine Arts Commission’s “Arts in the Capitol” program.

“Baas depicts Maine with reverence, delivering to the viewer moments to linger in the beauty of the landscape,” said Donna McNeil, Maine Arts Commission director and exhibit organizer.

Born in the Netherlands in 1945, Baas spent his early years in Rotterdam, surrounded by rich landscapes and cloud-laden skies made famous by the Dutch masters throughout history. He arrived in the United States in his early teens with a deeply ingrained interest in art.

Initially, Baas channeled his creativity toward jewelry design. His original works captured a following that resulted in more than 35 years of success as a goldsmith at his business in Laguna Beach. This success has afforded Baas the freedom to pursue his first love, painting.

“The act of applying paint to a canvas has always been intriguing to me. To transform a two-dimensional surface and give it a feeling of space with carefully arranged brushstrokes, using the right colors and values, is pure magic,” Baas said.

“Every time I paint on location, with each brushstroke I experience that magic again, and, hopefully, the viewer will experience it as well in the finished painting,” he said.

Baas has exhibited for 30-plus years and is represented by galleries in Maine, California, Hawaii, Washington and Texas.

Baas’ exhibit has been loaned by the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland and will remain on display until the end of September. The work is viewable from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Maine Arts Commission Office; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Maine State House; and from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Blaine House. Anyone wishing to visit the Blaine House is advised to call ahead at 287-2121.

All Arts in the Capitol events are free. Exhibitions are self-guided. For more information on Maine Arts Commission programs, visit MaineArts.com.