Artist Adriaan de Wolf: 'Impressions visible in both face and body'

Adriaan de Wolf, 35, paints portraits, people and figures. He seeks to capture vulnerability, and from there also strength, in what he puts on canvas. Beyond his own work, he also accepts commissions. In 2020, Adriaan created the winning portrait of Janny van de Heijden in the television programme Sterren op het Doek. Now in MASTERS GALLERY.

The 35 year old Adrian de Wolf likes to paint portraits, people and figures. He tries to find vulnerability, and from there also strength, in what he puts on canvas. In addition to his own work, he also paints on commission. In 2020, Adriaan made the winning portrait of Janny van de Heijden in the TV program 'Sterren op het Doek'. The artist has been invited to Mexico for a few months Artist Residencyprogram, where Adriaan is on his next body of work is going to work. However, before he leaves for Mexico, first visit MASTERS GALLERY.Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Adriaan de Wolf

'Lokke'

“From an early age, while walking through museums with my parents, I would marvel at the real Dutch masters. Rembrandt, Breitner, Van Gogh. How did they do that? They are blobs of paint, sometimes thick, sometimes thin, sometimes very carefully positioned, other times seemingly random. But in all cases it resulted in an amazing portrait. Seven years ago I took up the challenge to try to unravel this mystery. Every now and then I think I understand it all, but then it turns out to be so elusive. Sometimes I think I'm secretly getting a bit close.” (20x30cm, oil on panel)

'Trio'

“Three women, in different positions. Are they together, or is it every man for himself? Do they communicate with each other, or does the language come from within? Where are they anyway, is it a forest, are they ruins? Do the colors in their bodies say something about them or about me? Are they nymphs, witches or the three graces that are shaping the world? Perhaps it is a single person who is going through a development. They often say in art that the image should say it all. That an explanation would only hinder the viewer's imagination. In the past I sometimes felt like I had to explain everything in order to clearly convey my intention, but I have gradually learned that it is much more interesting to notice what effect the same image has on different people.” (150x120cm, oil on linen)

'Impressions'

“About a year ago I started looking for someone who worked in the emergency room and was willing to pose for me in full uniform. It always seemed like an open door to kick in, but during the second wave I felt a strong desire to do something about the situation we are now in the tail end of. The idea was to make a small series of tributes in the style of the old masters, a tribute to the people on the front line. This work is about the impressions at the end of the day, week, month, year. Impressions that can be seen in both the face and the body. Impressions that everyone feels.” (150x100cm, oil on linen)