Thijs Sterk, the painter of light is also the painter of water. He knew both of these elements present in the landscape of the province of North Holland
He went through nature and nature went through him. He reduced it which to him were the most essential elements: light, water and space.
The painting "Moon lit night" (now in the collection of the "Noordhollands Art Center in Bergen") dates from these years. It is definitely one of his most imaginative works.
What we see is not just the firmament, nor just a cosmic landscape, but a water landscape in which the surrounding meadows seem to be reflected.
The painting is so close to abstraction that we are surprised to feel reality very clearly present. |