Set of 3 illuminated planters by Paul Jansen, Belgium 1970s

The oil paintings of the contemporary Dutch artist Paul Jansen invites the viewer to look beyond the standard picture within the frame. It feels as if the curious animal really reaches out of the frame, as if the viewer stands face-to-face with the cow. It gives the paintings extra liveliness — the calf really looks at you, as if he wants to make contact and step out of his frame. The beautiful eyes and the soft whiskers make the cow extra touchable.

Jansen started his artistic career as a photographer. The influence of photography is surely traceable in his realistic portraits with unique compositions and extreme framing. For what has already been a number of years, the cow is an important subject in the work of Jansen. The animal’s unpretentious sense of being and its quirky, sometimes absurd shapes fascinate the artist. Unlike the function of cattle animals in past decennia painting, Jansen does not frame the cow as embellishment of landscape. He frames a single animal in all of its uniqueness and detail, often even with no room for landscape.

The backgrounds of the portraits radiate serenity and peace in their almost abstract flatness. The background contrasts with the liveliness of the animal, painted in great detail. Jansen creates an intriguing play of color and form and of abstractness and realism, to let the nature of the cow be fully appreciated.

Find original Paul Jansen animal paintings and other art on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by De KunstSalon)