History of the Netherlands, AD 1652
The leather-bound book in this painting is “Historien der Nederlanden”, published in Amsterdam in the year 1652, having been written by Emanuel van Meteren in 1611. This is not just a history book, the book itself is history, and merely holding it is not only a physical exercise, but also a great delight. “History of […]
Craftsmanship
The shape and form of objects are important. An earthenware jug, for instance, is not merely a container made to hold liquid, it is also a particular form. An object has beauty when its shape has been made by a craftsperson who had the intention of making it beautiful in addition to making it functional.
Brushwork
Many of today’s still life painters (especially so in the Netherlands) have specialised in producing works of amazingly detailed realism. Although I admire many of them, for my own style of brushwork I have chosen to take inspiration from artists such as Fantin-Latour and Chardin, and so I aim to paint with a slightly more […]
Composition
Artists learn from each other but this does not mean that we copy each other. This is especially true with regards to composition. My own still life paintings are original compositions, but I admit, it is hard work to get it right. In other words, it’s easy to get it wrong.
Restoring a Monk
A couple of years ago I met an elderly lady who had made an interesting discovery, many years ago. When her family was allowed to return to their chateau, they found, among the stuff which occupying military personnel had left in the basement, this old painting of a monk. No-one knew where it had come […]