Hans Leyerzapf - Oil on canvas | 'Here We Stand Then I' | 2002

A beautiful, characteristic and extremely atmospheric painting by the well-known and highly regarded Dutch artist Hans Leijerzapf (1951).

Leijerzapf is known in the Dutch art world for his utterly idiosyncratic, figurative style. His paintings often balance on the edge of melancholy, subtle humor, and theater. This work from 2002 is a beautiful and powerful example of that.

The painting depicts two male figures in long coats against a minimalist, bright background. The figure on the left, sporting a distinctive cap and holding a suitcase, stands face to face with the figure on the right, who is wearing a hat and standing slightly bent forward. They appear to be situated on a raised platform or an industrial object.

As is so often the case in Leijerzapf's oeuvre, the scene immediately raises questions for the viewer: who are these men? What are they talking about and what is in the suitcase? The work exudes the atmosphere of a film noir or a theatrical scene.

Technically speaking, this painting is an absolute masterpiece. Leijerzapf employs a beautiful, warm color palette with deep earth tones for the figures, which contrasts fantastically with the soft, blue-gray tonality of the sky. The impasto, tactile brushstrokes and the masterful chiaroscuro (the interplay of light and dark) give the composition enormous depth and monumentality, despite the intimate size.

Hans Leijerzapf studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. His work is characterized by 'anecdotal figuration': he paints man in all his tragicomedy, often surrounded by everyday or, conversely, more indistinct objects. His exhibitions in renowned galleries invariably attract many enthusiasts, and his work is included in various important private and corporate collections.


The entire piece is in neat condition and can be hung on your wall immediately.