Dutch painter Jos Van Riswick (born 1973) graduated in physics from the University of Nijmegen, Holland, and worked as a researcher for a few years.
He only got into painting after having learned about the northern realists (“Noordelijke Realisten”). This group of contemporary Dutch painters from the ’90s set out to revive the tradition of the old Dutch masters, painting closely observed realism in a time when nobody else did.
Van Riswick perfected his technique by painting tiny still lifes—often one per day.
His first exhibition in 2004 proved surprisingly successful, to the point that he decided to become a professional full-time artist.
“Because my work has a high degree of realism, people often tell me ‘Wow, it looks just like a photo!’ but the paintings differ from photographs by many subtle nuances, making the objects depicted appear more tangible than a camera ever could, even though the paintings contain less detail than a photo.”
Indeed, Van Riswick’s brushwork displays more texture than one would suspect at first glance. From a few yards away, the paintings look very realistic. Coming closer, one can discern more texture and explore the richness and finesse in which different ways of paint handling contribute to the visual representation of light, texture, and form.
“For me, standing in awe at technical achievements is an important aspect of the art experience. That is certainly part of what I strive for,” Van Riswick explains.
But creating stunning visual representations is only half the job: “I want my paintings to convey something sacred—not in a religious sense; more like the kind of feeling one has when looking at a sunset. I want them to evoke an admiration for beauty, a sense of quiet, … a few moments of silence in your head. … Although, being a qualified physicist, I don’t want to get too fuzzy about it.”
Nevertheless, one can’t go wrong describing Van Riswick’s still lifes as meditative visual oases—even his earthenware paintings display his hand’s characteristic quiet and suppleness.
Food for the soul and a spa for your brain? Gazing at Van Riswick’s work promptly soothes the mind after a hard day’s work.
Jos Van Riswick sells worldwide, and in Holland through Morren Galleries. His hobbies are choir singing and he enjoys playing the piano. josvanriswick.com
Wim Van Aalst is a painter based in Belgium.