# Dirk Stroeve — The Moon and Sixpence character guide > Dirk Stroeve in The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Stroeve, Dirk, Madame Dirk Stroeve, poor Dirk, Madame **First appearance:** 0011-xii ## Snapshot A fat, sentimental Dutch painter of saccharine Madonnas whose absurd generosity and unerring eye for other men's genius make him the book's most painful figure. ## Who they are Stroeve is the butt of every studio joke in Montmartre, a man who lends money to the friends who mock him and weeps over stories he knows are invented. Yet his judgment of painting is almost infallible, and he is the first person to insist that Strickland is a great artist when everyone else sees only a brute. His devotion to a man who despises him, and his helpless love for a wife who does not love him back, turn his kindness into the instrument of his own ruin. ## Relationships ### [Charles Strickland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/characters/charles_strickland) _psychological_ Strickland cruelly exploits Stroeve's generosity and artistic admiration, ultimately destroying Stroeve's marriage and home without remorse. ### [Mrs. Strickland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/characters/mrs_strickland) _social_ Dirk Stroeve is a sympathetic acquaintance who tries to help Mrs. Strickland after her husband leaves, though she finds him ridiculous. ### [Charles Strickland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/characters/charles_strickland) _psychological_ Strickland cruelly exploits Stroeve's generosity and artistic admiration, ultimately destroying Stroeve's marriage and home without remorse. ### [Charles Strickland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/characters/charles_strickland) _psychological_ Strickland cruelly exploits Stroeve's generosity and artistic admiration, ultimately destroying Stroeve's marriage and home without remorse. ### [Mrs. Strickland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/characters/mrs_strickland) _social_ Dirk Stroeve is a sympathetic acquaintance who tries to help Mrs. Strickland after her husband leaves, though she finds him ridiculous. ## In the story ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xviii) A poor painter with genuine enthusiasm for art; generous, emotional, and often ridiculed by his peers. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xix) Welcomes the narrator warmly, shows his conventional paintings, and defends Strickland's genius despite personal mistreatment. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xx) Brings the narrator to see Strickland, but leaves early, leaving the narrator alone with Strickland. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxii) Hosts the narrator for dinners, boasts of his Italian cooking, discusses intimate matters openly, and argues passionately with a picture-dealer about Strickland's talent. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxiii) Described as absurd but sincere; his household is charming; he is cruelly attacked by Strickland. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxiv) Stroeve initiates the search for Strickland out of Christmas sentimentality and guilt over their quarrel, and is deeply distressed by Strickland's condition. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxv) Pleading with his wife to let Strickland be nursed in their home, showing his compassionate and forgiving nature. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxvi) Nurses Strickland with tenderness and patience, giving up his own work; is delighted with Blanche's devotion but puzzled by the silent tension between her and Strickland. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxvii) Found at the Louvre, woebegone and disconsolate after being turned out of his own studio by Strickland. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxviii) Arrives at the narrator's apartment in disarray, weeping, and recounts the devastating news that his wife has left him for Strickland. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxix) Reveals his deep anguish over Blanche's affair with Strickland, admits he knew for a fortnight, and expresses unconditional love and willingness to take her back. ### [Chapter of Reflection on Blanche Stroeve's Betrayal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxx) Dirk Stroeve is mentioned as the betrayed husband, whose account prompted the narrator's reflections. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxi) Continues to pursue Blanche despite her rejection, behaving with little dignity; the narrator notes his absurd appearance and generous but blundering nature. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxiii) Visits the narrator, emotionally distraught and fearful of a terrible catastrophe involving Blanche and Strickland. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxiv) Stroeve arrives in a state of shock to report that Blanche has tried to kill herself. He recounts the events, expresses his forgiveness, and begs the narrator to intercede with Blanche at the hospital. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxv) Distraught over Blanche's suicide attempt; cannot eat or sleep; desperately wants to see her but is refused. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxvi) Visits the hospital twice daily, exhausted and grieving over Blanche's impending death. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxvii) Grieves for Blanche, follows the hearse to the cemetery, declines the narrator's invitation to lunch, and goes to the studio alone. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxviii) Dressed in deep mourning, Stroeve visits the narrator to announce his departure for Holland, reflecting on his childhood and his mother's love. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xxxix) Grieving Blanche's death, he returns to the studio and is torn between rage and awe upon seeing Strickland's painting of her. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xli) Mentioned as the compassionate man who married Blanche after rescuing her from suicide. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xlii) Mentioned as having recognized Strickland's genius from the first. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xliii) Referenced in the context of Blanche's surrender to Strickland, which may have involved a sense of triumph over Stroeve. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/chapters/xliv) Stroeve is mentioned as holding forth on Monet, which Strickland dismisses with a comment about Winterhalter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/characters/dirk_stroeve - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_and_sixpence_se/characters