Original artwork description:

This piece was nominated for the Dutch Portrait Prize 2023.

The woman in this painting is my mother. She often appears in my work, as do my sisters—and sometimes myself. Not as traditional portraits, but as representations of something larger: the human experience. How we carry life, with all its contradictions, fear and hope, joy and sorrow.

For as long as I can remember, I have been aware of the transient nature of things, including our own existence. This awareness drives my work. There is a sense of melancholy, an unfulfilled longing, but also a deep consciousness of time. Life is brief, yet infinite, everything continues long after we are gone. And in that, there is beauty. We all share the same fate, and that realization fills me with love and compassion for humanity.

When I paint, I begin with a glance, a posture, something that moves me. From there, I let the image unfold, guided by what emerges. I don’t dictate a specific emotion; I leave that to the viewer. But what I hope for is a sense of recognition. A moment of contemplation, where the observer not only sees the other but perhaps also a part of themselves.

I'm deeply fascinated by the combination of flatness with a more realistic painting style. In this piece, I aimed to achieve a clear composition to further emphasize the expression of the face and hands. Here, I employed both the alla prima technique and the methods of the old masters. The colors in the underpainting play a crucial role, with certain areas glazed over. Conversely, the face was predominantly laid down in one stroke. For color choices, I often draw inspiration from the Flemish Primitives and religious icons.

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Shipping & Packaging

Your painting will be carefully packaged to ensure it arrives safely. First, it is wrapped in bubble wrap, then secured with sturdy cardboard. For extra protection, I create a custom MDF casing. Your artwork will be ready for shipment and will be registered within two working days and picked up at the earliest possible collection time. You will receive regular updates, including a tracking link as soon as the package has been registered.

The Painting does not come with a frame, but I am happy to help with finding a framer or picking a frame.

Materials used:

Oil Paints

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