The Power of Color: Gert van Reenen’s Lyrically Abstract Art

The lyrically abstract canvases of the beloved artist, restaurateur, and bon vivant Gert van Reenen (1935-2018) exude a distinctive character. His use of bright and warm colors sometimes transitions into nearly monochromatic works with luminous highlights. This imparts a certain simplicity to his pieces while maintaining strength and dynamic color bands in monumental compositions. Large movements are brought into tension with directional lines, linear elements, and refined details.

Van Reenen's handling of materials and textures remains robust and expressive. His powerful palette is clear and fresh, reflecting the sounds and colors of his travels to Bonaire, Mexico, Greece, the French Provence, and Marbella in Spain. These influences infuse his canvases with an energy and vitality that warms and inspires the viewer.

His artworks radiate vitality. They celebrate life itself, an expression of joy that directly engages and captivates the viewer. Gert van Reenen's work stands as a testament to his lively spirit and his passion for color and form. With a remarkable talent for combining robustness with refinement, his canvases continue to be a source of inspiration and admiration for art lovers worldwide.