Bert van der Meer - Cola Lemon Crush

Bert van der Meer – Cola Lemon Crush
Oil on panel

A stunning new work by Bert van der Meer, known for his refined still lifes with attention to detail and atmosphere.

In this painting, a seemingly ordinary object takes center stage: a simple can of cola, elevated by the artist to a contemporary icon. The metal surface shows subtle dents, reflections and color shifts that testify to use, time and transience.

Van der Meer masterfully captures this modern simplicity in thin layers of oil paint, where light, sheen and shadow come together in a nearly poetic union. The mirrored skin of the can — with its distinctive red — takes on a nearly monumental appearance, while the refined execution continues to reference the tradition of the classical still life.

Inner dimensions: 70 x 110 cm
Framed size: 72 x 112 cm

Information about the artist:
Bert van der Meer was born in 1980 in Surhuisterveen (Friesland). From a young age he began drawing and developed a strong interest in form, light and composition. Since 2003 he has worked as a painter, with a preference for still lifes and portraits in oil.

Van der Meer is largely self-taught. Through much practice and self-directed study, he has developed a distinctive style in which craftsmanship and personal imagination come together.

In his work he focuses mainly on still lifes with objects that bear the marks of time, such as old glass bottles, archaeological finds and worn everyday objects. He owns a large collection of items ranging from Roman glass to medieval pottery, which often serve as inspiration and recur in his paintings. These objects symbolize the passage of time and give his work a poetic and sometimes nostalgic atmosphere.

His paintings are notable for traditional compositions, soft tonal colors and careful attention to light and shadow. This aligns his style with 20th-century realist painters. Yet he adds a contemporary sensitivity to his classical method.

In addition to still lifes, he also paints portraits and experiments with landscapes and studies in color and light.