A Gateway Into History…

The next Leiden building I am taking a look at is an older building on the corner of Oude Vest and Lange Mare. The top floor looks like a residence, the ground floor is a café.

When I took these photographs in Spring, the hospitality industry has literally just opened, under strict conditions: 1.5 metres between patrons, opening times starting from noon only, and all other precautions related to the prevention and spread of Covid19.

It was only when I was passing by here (to cross the bridge) at the end if the morning that they were setting up for the first customers and I noticed the plaque/painting illustrating the Old Mare Gate of 1615. It’s an indication that these is history deep in the veins of this area… and that is beautiful in itself too.

(photograph copyright © Kiwidutch)

(photograph copyright © Kiwidutch)

(photograph copyright © Kiwidutch)

A Last Look With Your Kathmandu Eyes…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

In my last post from the private exhibition by artist Wilfried van den Boorn and am looking at a painting called:

“Kathmandu Eyes”, which is No.32 on the price list and listed for sale at Euro 1.250,-

Wilfried van den Boorn says in his website:

“My Still-Lifes do not have big gestures but rather contain the small things that are often neglected.

Often these are found objects, or objects that I have brought with me from my travels.

In my work I strive for a harmony, which is often lacking in the hectic everyday life, so that the viewer is offered a rest for the eye and mind next to the issues from the day.

Realism – In my work, the period from 1990 to the present is characterised by a number of changes in the form of the representation of the subject in my paintings. In the period from 1970 to 1990 I used a more *ideoplastic form, among other things, through a more photo realistic approach with a restriction in the choice of the subject.

(Kiwi’s note: *The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “Ideoplastic” as:  “of an art form : rendered symbolic or conventional through the mental remodeling of natural subjects”

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Take A Look In The Hard Light…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Wilfried van den Boorn held a private exhibition just before Christmas 2019. Entitled “Overview of Still-lifes From 2008-2019” His website reads:

Wilfried van den Boorn has managed to gain a place within contemporary realists with his work.

Loved for his own  signature style, his work shows great craftsmanship and is characterised by refinement, balance, attention to detail and fabric expression.

This labour-intensive method, using reliable techniques and materials, supplemented with contemporary, newly developed materials and methods, results in balanced work, but only allows a small annual production.

The Paintings: Still life

The Still Life genre has been the most important part of my current work since 2002.  Although the still life within my oeuvre already occupied a modest place before this time I never felt a need previously to go into this subject in depth before.

With my Still Life paintings I often choose to show a performance in which flowers, whether or not combined with other attributes, play an important role. The flowers in most works come from my own garden and this is how their existence, albeit now two-dimensional, and in paint, is confirmed”

Today’s painting is No.31 in the price list and is listed for sale for Euro 1.950,-  It’s called “Hard Light” and features the sort of late evening sunshine effect that brings out the contrasts in the tulips blooms, the shadows on the table on which it lies and the fabric on the table.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Parrot Tulips With Christmas Roses…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Before Christmas in 2019 I had the chance to attend a private exhibition by the artist Wilfried van den Boorn.

Entitled “Overview of Still-lifes From 2008-2019” These flower paintings can be delicate and beautiful.

Wilfred’s website continues:

“Under painters such as Jan Davidsz de Heem, Jan van Huysem, Abraham Mignon, Jan Breughel the Elder, Daniel Seghers, Willem Kalf and others, still life flourished during the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

It was also a period and subject where it became possible for women to gain international fame.

This how women like Maria van Oosterwijck, Rachel Ruysch and Clara Peeters have left their mark on the still life.

After this flowering period, the still life subject has managed to develop and renew itself.

Today, painters such as Rob Mohlmann, Henk Helmantel, Ben Snijders, Anneke van Brussel, Frans Klercks, Aad Hofman, Bernard Verkaaik and others are part of the group of artists who each give their own interpretation of the still life.

Today’s painting is called: “Parrot tulips with Christmas roses” and is No.27 on the price list, listed for sale at Euro 1.250,-

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Majic Realism And The Spring Garden…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

My 2019 pre-Christmas attendance of Wilfried van den Boorn’s: “Overview of Still-lifes From 2008-2019” exhibition has given me a new appreciation of Still Life.

Wilfried van den Boorn’s website tells us that he:

“…used painters such as Jeroen Bosch, René Magritte, Salvador Dali, de Chirico and others, to provide a guideline for his own interpretation of the surrealistic approach to the perceived world.

Through the “*Magic Realism” of painters typical of the low countries (Carel Willink, Moesman, Pyke Koch, Dick Ket) this led to a more austere form of realism in the 1980s, followed by a period in which the paintings reflected a possible but unlikely reality. 

Ultimately, this all led to a preference for still life as a subject.” Today’s painting: “No.27 from the price list, “From the Spring Garden” (for sale for Euro 1.250,-)

(Kiwi’s Note: definition of Magic Realism: “framework may be conventionally realistic, but contrasting elements such as the supernatural, dreams, myths, fantasy invade the realism. Differs from fantasy or sci-fi because the setting is a normal modern world with authentic descriptions of humans, society and conflicts.”

Wilfried van den Boorn

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Realist Realism, Nina’s Peppers…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Wilfried van den Boorn’s website tells us that he:

“was born in 1951 and has been working as a professional painter for 40 years.

He immersed himself in various forms of painting after his education at the Academy of Fine Art St. Joost, and the Royal Academy of Fine Art and Design in ‘s Hertogenbosch.

Against the current trends of the time, he chose the style of Realism.

Over the years he has explored and mastered facets of the work such as material expression, composition and technical construction.”

At his private exhibition entitled: “Overview of Still-lifes From 2008-2019, these realism paintings consist mostly of flowers but the focus of today’s painting is peppers, of the chili variety!

Called: No.25 “Nina’s Peppers” it is listed as costing Euro 975,- and is a calm, quiet study of chili peppers with an upturned bowl and a paper base. beautiful!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

The Scribbling…

Following on from yesterday’s post is the next Wilfried van den Boorn painting. Entitled “The Scribbling” and was for sale for Euro 975,-

This painting shows are notebook, vase with flowers, a small bell,  and a sea shell. There is to the bottom right what may or may not be a dropped petal? I’m not certain and I’ve included a photograph that was only supposed to remind me of the title of the painting, because the other close ups were either fuzzy or marred by the overhead lighting.

I didn’t know this until I looked at the pictures on the computer though, and at least the top photo has a tiny glimpse onto how this painting looks close up. (Which was amazing, especially for such a small image).
Wilfried van den Boorn

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Four In A Little Jug…

This next Wilfried van den Boorn painting is called “Four in a jog”  and is from his late 2019 private exhibition entitled “Overview of Still-lifes From 2008-2019”. The price list lists it for Euro 475,-
Wilfried van den Boorn

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

A Dutch Master-Style Soloist…

Dutch artist Wilfried van den Boorn held a private exhibition in November 2019 entitled: “Overview of Still-lifes From 2008-2019” and featured his paintings, mostly of flowers, but all more or less in the style of old Dutch masters. The price list listed this one as: No.18 “Soloist“, and for sale for Euro 1.950,-

This was another on my favourites list, just one single variegated tulip. laying on a table or sideboard, complimented by the dark background and contrasted by the edge of an embroidered table linen in the foreground and coloured linen in the background. Art and embroidered textiles! A perfect match, and expertly painted. I love it.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Oooh …Hot Chilli Peppers…

Following on from yesterday’s post, the next painting I see by Wilfried van den Boorn is listed in the price list as: No.17 “Hot chilli peppers” and was for sale for Euro 975,-

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)