BIOGRAPHY

"I recreate the light of heaven on earth"

Louis van der Beesen, born in 1938 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Maastricht, Trajectum ad Mosam, northern trade-centre and cultural gathering place in the time of Julius Caesar. Centre at the border of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands and nowadays the yearly home of the world famous art fair: TEFAF.

Self-portrait. In the army (1957).
Oilpaint on paper.

The unparalleled charm of this city was the ideal environment for the artistically talented Louis van der Beesen. Not only the river Maas with its picturesque bridges and charming quays stimulated the young artist's interest in Impressionism, but also the introduction to Robert Graafland's (Maastricht, 1875-1940) paintings. Highly impressed by the classic schooled works of the French impressionists, Van der Beesen soon realised that technical perfection was an absolute necessity to develop his own style.

Studio (1986).

After his début exhibition at the age of 19, he moves to the city of Eindhoven (the Netherlands). After having painted a lot of ordered portraits, he decided in 1969 to move to the countryside, to the village of Overpelt in Belgium. He still lives there with his wife Ineke.

Studio (2000).

After a few years, orders for portraits are no longer accepted. A long stay in the south of France and travels to the south of Spain and Portugal gives him the perfect themes for his paintings with people in light and shadow, which makes his paintings so sunny and bright of colour. That is why Louis van der Beesen deserved the high international appreciation and acknowledgement which he receives nowadays.