Rachel Ross

Jam Spoons with White Butterfly Contemporary Still Life with Jam Spoons

2019

When you look at this painting ''Lemons and Limes" by Dutch artist Sasja Wagenaar (1959) from a distance you see a perfectly painted image, but up close a generous paint streak is vi...

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...

When you look at this painting "Bowl with Gold" by Dutch artist Sasja Wagenaar (1959) from a distance you see a perfectly painted image, but up close a generous paint streak is visib...

When you look at this painting "Turquoise Vase" by Dutch artist Sasja Wagenaar (1959) from a distance you see a perfectly painted image, but up close a generous paint streak is visib...