It's all about the face

At first glance, van der Leeuw's portraits look firmly rooted in the Dutch classical tradition, however it quickly becomes obvious that style is used primarily as response to the subject at hand, like colors on the palette. The emphasis is on psychology and lack of formality. Van der Leeuw's portraits are the result of interaction and interpretation rather than formal representation, he doesn't aim to simply please.

1983-1992
• Graduated from Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam, dept. of monumental art.
• Exhibited (selection): Fodor Museum (Amsterdam), De Expeditie (Amsterdam), W139 (Amsterdam), Klaasman & Kottman (Amsterdam), Zim/Lerner Gallery (NYC), galerie Rob de Vries (Haarlem), Rijnoeverhuys (Arnhem) and Felison (Velzen).
• Commissions: City of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Museum and private sector.
• 1992-2012: Stopped painting and worked as freelance marketing specialist and hands-on consultant for various companies in the private sector.
• 2012-present
Started with a one year period resulting in a series of 105 self-portraits followed by numerous commissioned and other portraits as well as an ongoing series of paintings and drawings exploring the darker sides of the human condition.

• 2018 Group: 'Update' Arti. Amsterdam • 'Face Value' Curated by Lot 5 Collective, London, UK.
• 2019 Group: 'Five and Under' Arcadia Contemporary. L.A. • Nomitated, The Netherlands Portrait Prize, Slot Zeist, NL.

acquiring a work & portrait commissions

Most works are available and commissions are welcome.
Please contact me for more information about commercial use of an image, purchasing a painting or drawing or commissioning a portrait.
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