Vera Pouw

''No title'' Dutch Contemporary Painting of a Moving Figure

2020

When you look at this painting "Crowfoot and Tulip" by Dutch artist Sasja Wagenaar (1959) from a distance you see a perfectly painted image, but up close a generous paint streak is visible. She has a unique way of applying shadow and light effects in her paintings. Sasja Wagenaar is inspired by our classic masters from the seventeenth century, a flourishing period in Dutch painting. The century in which new continents, markets and arts were discovered. For Sasja, a still life - or, as it is called in the literature: Nature Morte - is not death, but life. She paints life caught in tranquility. The pleasure of the living flowers with their intense beauty. They are not death, but alive, captured and painted at the highlight of their blossom. Although rooted in the 17th century Dutch tradition, her work shows her very own signature and is contemporary. As a true Modern Dutch Master...

When you look at this painting "Sprats" by Dutch artist Sasja Wagenaar (1959) from a distance you see a perfectly painted image, but up close a flowing movement of the paint streaks is visible. Sasja Wagenaar has a unique way of applying shadow and light effects in her paintings. The strong reflection on the dark background is a reference to the camera obscura. This dark room was used since the 16th century by Old Masters (such as Vermeer, as is presumed) to create a detailed reflection of an object. Sasja Wagenaar is inspired by our classic masters from the seventeenth century, a flourishing period in Dutch painting. The century in which new continents, markets and arts were discovered. At that time in the Netherlands it was a real fad to collect chinoiserie. Originally porcelain, but also Dutch pottery, also known as Delft blue, inspired by Chinese and especially by Japanese bowls and vases. To quote Sasja Wagenaar: ‘Every platter, every bowl is already so much in itself. They were made with great care through hundreds of hands before they ended up here. Their character must be respected in composing the story that forms a still life. They are as alive as the blossom branches and I try to let them speak together. Slowly the image is created’. Although rooted in the 17th century Dutch tradition, her work shows her very own signature and is contemporary. As a true Modern Dutch Master...

Karoline Kroiß (1975), born in Austria, mainly paints realistic female figures with acrylic paint on paper or canvas. The women in her work seem to be lost in thought, serene scenes enhanced by the neutral background. We see these women en profile, sometimes even only a bare back. The hair is tucked up loosely or casually hanging over the shoulders. Since the face is not visible, it makes it easier for the viewer to identify with these women. In this warm painting...

Karoline Kroiß (1975), born in Austria, mainly paints realistic female figures with acrylic paint on paper or canvas. The women in her work seem to be lost in thought, serene scenes enhanced by the neutral background. We see these women en profile, sometimes even only a bare back. The hair is tucked up loosely or casually hanging over the shoulders. Since the face is not visible, it makes it easier for the viewer to identify with these women. In this serene painting titled ''Sometimes You Just Don...

Karoline Kroiß (1975), born in Austria, mainly paints realistic female figures with acrylic paint on paper or canvas. The women in her work seem to be lost in thought, serene scenes enhanced by the neutral background. We see these women en profile, sometimes even only a bare back. The hair is tucked up loosely or casually hanging over the shoulders. Since the face is not visible, it makes it easier for the viewer to identify with these women. In this serene painting titled ''It is Just the Beginning'' a girl in a white...

Karoline Kroiß (1975), born in Austria, mainly paints realistic female figures with acrylic paint on paper or canvas. The women in her work seem to be lost in thought, serene scenes...

Eliyahu Boxer Facets and Faces (triptych), 2023 acrylic and ink on canvas 60 x 150 cm 24 x 59 in Eliyahu was born in the United States and moved to Israel with his family at a ver...

Acrylic on canvas painting by Joe Shannon (b.1933). Titled "Three Business Men" signed and dated 1972. New York Times art critic Grace Glueck observed tha...

Signed and dated. «This mask will last a lifetime» was part of O. F. Hvidsten's first solo-exhibition «This will never pass». The works comprising the exhibition is first and forem...

Signed and dated. «Taking a chance on the dancefloor» was part of O. F. Hvidsten's first solo-exhibition «This will never pass». The works comprising the exhibition is first and fo...

Signed and dated. «Good sharks makes all the difference» was part of O. F. Hvidsten's first solo-exhibition «This will never pass». The works comprising the exhibition is first and...

Signed and dated. «This is not a prison» was part of O. F. Hvidsten's first solo-exhibition «This will never pass». The works comprising the exhibition is first and foremost a visual memory of two dramatic years since 2020 that have affected us all. Covid, and its consequences, have become a common point of reference that we will all talk about and bear remembrance to for a long time. But our memories are like life itself; dynamic and in constant change, often weakening with time, and can either ebb out or be reinforced. O.F. Hvidstens work in this period stand out as an anchor point for this common experience. Ole Fredrik Hvidsten...