Gerard Prent
Encyclopedia
Gerard Prent Contemporary Dutch painter.
(1978–1980). His first canvases utilized large, lively colored fields, often set in divergent frames. From the very beginning of his career, he has shown a preference for large, square formats for his paintings.
He was commissioned to create murals in the newly constructed government buildings in Holland, such as the customs office in Vlissingen, the correctional facilities of Zwolle and Heerhugowaard, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. Interestingly, it was within these structures, that his work developed in a more anecdotal and allegorical mode; while exploring various kinds of media, submerging the painting for the time being.
After an attempt to move away from art, the muse, after having nearly throttled him, took hold of him and has not let go. His attempt to live outside of art in France was the catalyst for his discovery of the joy of painting through the simplicity of his subject and the emphasis on the transparency of his palette. Looking for study material in the Amsterdam Zoo (Artis), the sparrow
forged itself upon him, as a free and everyday subject. The little bird ended up in the center of a square canvas, with the painter's experiment (or experience) happening in the large background of the painting. The sparrow continues unmoved by the surrounding landscape, becoming mythic in its serenity and through the use of reproduction.
Gerard Prent created a large series of “Mussen” (Sparrow’s in Dutch), of which many paintings found their way to collectors and admirers.
Gerard Prent's large series of Sparrow’s, have found their way to collectors and admirers. The simplicity of the subject has remained; from 2004 onwards Prent continues to paint just a simple corner in the garden, or a spot on the side of the road, with large strokes and exuberant colours and shapes. According to Gerard Prent, it is not the subject that matters, but the image, the creation of pure art.
Life and work
Gerard prent had his art education in Amsterdam at the Rietveld Academy (1973–1978) and the RijksakademieRijksakademie
The Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten is a two-year residency for visual artists, based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.Funded by the Dutch government, residents are granted a stipend and are allotted a personal studio in the former military barracks building in which the Rijksakademie is housed...
(1978–1980). His first canvases utilized large, lively colored fields, often set in divergent frames. From the very beginning of his career, he has shown a preference for large, square formats for his paintings.
He was commissioned to create murals in the newly constructed government buildings in Holland, such as the customs office in Vlissingen, the correctional facilities of Zwolle and Heerhugowaard, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. Interestingly, it was within these structures, that his work developed in a more anecdotal and allegorical mode; while exploring various kinds of media, submerging the painting for the time being.
After an attempt to move away from art, the muse, after having nearly throttled him, took hold of him and has not let go. His attempt to live outside of art in France was the catalyst for his discovery of the joy of painting through the simplicity of his subject and the emphasis on the transparency of his palette. Looking for study material in the Amsterdam Zoo (Artis), the sparrow
House Sparrow
The House Sparrow is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the House Sparrow occurs naturally in most of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and much of Asia...
forged itself upon him, as a free and everyday subject. The little bird ended up in the center of a square canvas, with the painter's experiment (or experience) happening in the large background of the painting. The sparrow continues unmoved by the surrounding landscape, becoming mythic in its serenity and through the use of reproduction.
Gerard Prent created a large series of “Mussen” (Sparrow’s in Dutch), of which many paintings found their way to collectors and admirers.
Gerard Prent's large series of Sparrow’s, have found their way to collectors and admirers. The simplicity of the subject has remained; from 2004 onwards Prent continues to paint just a simple corner in the garden, or a spot on the side of the road, with large strokes and exuberant colours and shapes. According to Gerard Prent, it is not the subject that matters, but the image, the creation of pure art.
Prices
- 1979: Willem F.C. Uriotprice, painting
- 1979: Silver medal Dutch Prix de RomePrix de RomeThe Prix de Rome was a scholarship for arts students, principally of painting, sculpture, and architecture. It was created, initially for painters and sculptors, in 1663 in France during the reign of Louis XIV. It was an annual bursary for promising artists having proved their talents by...
painting category - 1984: Titia Buning-Bongers price