Jan Grotenbreg

'Prancing Horse' Dutch Contemporary Fresco Painting with a Horse

2021

The pronounced technique is the first thing that strikes you when viewing the works of Jan Grotenbreg (1946). It is innovative and unique. The result of...

The pronounced technique is the first thing that strikes you when viewing the works of Jan Grotenbreg (1946). It is innovative and unique. The result of his idiosyncratic working method can be compared to Roman and Medieval murals, the so-called fresco in which people paint directly in wet lime. At the time, fresco technique was a decorative art form in Europe. However, it is not the decorative element that inspires and interests Jan, but the weathered appearance of the surviving fresco paintings. That is what he wanted to see in his own work. In 2000 he started experimenting with cement on linen. This technique is so special, because cement is a building material and does not stick to canvas. After many attempts, Grotenbreg has found a solution to this problem with modern binders. An impressive series of animal studies followed. Jan Grotenbreg only paints animals he has an affinity with. Animals such as the horse, the cow and the bull, as well as lesser-known animals such as the protected bird of prey, the black-capped vulture, the Egyptian Nile bird Ibis and the endangered house sparrow, have been laid down on linen by Grotenbreg in a layer of gray cement with acrylic paint in black-brown color nuances. The texture and composition of the applied cement is a very important part of his work. That's what makes it intriguing. The way in which the cement is applied determines the decisiveness of the work even more than the image. The animals, especially the sparrows, sometimes only cover a very small part of the canvas. It is clear that the emphasis is on technology. The charm of Jan Grotenbreg's work lies in the imitation of that weathering. But the animals portrayed also play a role in this and are not exempt from rendered weariness. They give a beautiful antique impression...

The pronounced technique is the first thing that strikes you when viewing the works of Jan Grotenbreg (1946). It is innovative and unique. The result of...

The pronounced technique is the first thing that strikes you when viewing the works of Jan Grotenbreg (1946). It is innovative and unique. The result of...

The pronounced technique is the first thing that strikes you when viewing the works of Jan Grotenbreg (1946). It is innovative and unique. The result of...

The pronounced technique is the first thing that strikes you when viewing the works of Jan Grotenbreg (1946). It is innovative and unique. The result of...

At the heart of "Last Shot" is a young woman, the central character of this evocative piece. She is fully absorbed in the game of snooker, her posture and facial expression revealing intense concentration and determination. The artist has deliberately obscured all the colored snooker balls, leaving only the white ball visible. This compositional choice draws the viewer's attention to the player's anticipation of her "last shot." The backdrop of "Last Shot" is a dimly lit snooker hall, creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue. The faint glow of overhead lights accentuates the drama of the moment, casting shadows that add depth and complexity to the scene. The absence of details surrounding the white ball and the player's narrowed focus on it contributes to the overall feeling of precision and concentration. "Last Shot" is a visual metaphor for life's critical moments—those decisive occasions when everything hinges on a single move. By obscuring the colored balls and leaving only the white ball visible, the artwork symbolizes the importance of making the right choices, even when faced with uncertainty and obscurity. The young woman's unwavering focus on her last shot encourages viewers to consider their own pivotal moments in life. It prompts reflection on the significance of each action and the consequences that follow, reminding us that sometimes, a single move can determine the course of our journey. "Last Shot" by Akinboye Akinola Peter...

This piece consists of 9 smaller paintings, each sized 39 x 39 cm The collaboration between Keng Wai Lee and Marco Araldi is based on the contrast between the techniques used. Marco...

The artist's work delves into the fascinating realm of distorted reality, invoking a sense of happiness and well-being from a bygone era that exists only in the imagination. Through ...

A farm stands before you on the horizon. A windmill majestically slices the blue sky. A bird, painted in taut brushstrokes, struts on a branch. These are tranquil images; horizon far...

"Black Man Stereotype 2 (Mandingo)" challenges the pervasive Mandingo stereotype that perpetuates the hypersexualization of black men. Through this artwork, the artist confronts the ...

"Billy the Kid", a unique stained glass shadowbox handmade by TF Dutchman, contains an acrylic painting on canvas set in a stained glass box. The canvas...