HAVE A REPRODUCTION PAINTING MADE
If you would like a very high quality reproduction made, using the old 17th century painting techniques, then I as an artist can do this for you. Creating a good reproduction is certainly no simple matter, and it demands the necessary preparation, study and time. A master reproduction of a famous painter such as Rembrandt will certainly be a jewel on your wall and will therefore draw the necessary attention. The reproductions of old masters that I make are of museum quality and are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. This is what a high quality reproduction should be.
But what is a good reproduction?
Of course, a hand painted reproduction of an old masterpiece will never be exactly the same as the original of a famous painter, because the painter has his own ‘touch’ and the old works are usually restored and contain craquelure. I am no Rembrandt or Hals, but I can approach their painting style very closely. A high quality reproduction must have the same allure as the original and should certainly not come across as kitsch or garish. Little or no knowledge of materials and techniques are often the cause of this.
The effects achieved in for example the 17th century were obtained by means of a totally different method of painting than is commonly employed nowadays. These old techniques were no longer being taught and seemed to have been forgotten by the end of the 19th century. For years, I have immersed myself in precisely these techniques and materials. So this is real craftsmanship, whereby I as a classical artist also master these 17th century painting techniques down to the minutest details. That delivers good reproductions.
Quick copies are produced at several places in the world. However, in particular when copies of old masters are concerned, these cannot usually be compared with the original paintings. You can see that they have been made quickly and that they are cheap. So these are not good reproductions.
Reproduction of Rembrandt’s ‘Bathsheba with King David’s Letter’
2016 – Oil paint on canvas – 142 x 142 cm
After having been fascinated during the past 20 years by looking at Rembrandt’s works, during the exhibition ‘The Late Rembrandt’ in the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) the idea came into my mind to make a copy of this work for study. I was very curious about Rembrandt’s method of working: how did he do it? I can get enormous enjoyment from the texture in the paintwork, the roughness in his technique in his later works and the warmth radiated by his works.
Years of practise in my atelier, and looking at the originals and following private lessons in 17th century painting techniques, gave me the courage to start on such a copy. I aimed to create at first glance the same atmosphere and impression as the original. That is more than exactly transposing every square millimetre of the picture.
The original is displayed in the Louvre in Paris.
Applying 17th century painting techniques
If necessary, I make my own paint. I usually work with my own composite mediums (where the paint can be applied thinned and which I can work with transparently). Also, in the composition I work from the cloth or panel with priming materials that were used in the 17th century. That means I also use the old recipes for this. These preparations consume a lot of time. When the work is finished, I also use the same resins for touching-up and final varnishing. Only an experienced artist, who knows how to perform the old craft, can create a really good reproduction.
Please take account of a few weeks’ waiting time.
Reproduction of Rembrandt’s ‘Isaac and Rebecca’ (better known as ‘The Jewish Bride’)
2015 – Oil paint on panel – 121.5 x 166.5 cm
This work of Rembrandt is the first reproduction that I had the courage to make after years of study and multiple visits to the original. As early as 2010, I nurtured the idea of copying this work out of admiration for the master. Out of respect, in the past reproductions or copies were usually depicted in a smaller size than the original. In spite of this fact, I have used the same dimensions, to enable me to reproduce everything very accurately. You can therefore rest assured that I certainly have a great deal of respect for the mastership of Rembrandt!
Funnily enough to me, a simple palette and in particular cheap pigments were actually used, but more than anything, these were applied in the original painting in a masterly way. And so also in this reproduction.
The original is displayed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Matching frames
You can have a reproduction of a painting made by me with a matching high quality frame if desired. I work together with a famous bespoke frame-maker who makes high quality handmade frames and who also works with 17th, 18th and 19th century recipes and templates. These frames are specially made and are therefore very exclusive. If you choose, the frame will be delivered along with the painting. The costs depend of course on the size and type of frame.
Are you interested in having a reproduction made?
Are you interested in a high quality reproduction of an old masterpiece? Then please contact me. I will be pleased to discuss the possibilities with you.
