Cees Balvers (XX) - Magic Lantern

Painted in 1974, this Exquisite work by Cees Balvers brings together some of the artist’s most characteristic themes, combining intimate interior scenes with his distinctive still-life compositions.

Cees Balvers was a Dutch artist born in Rotterdam in 1921 who lived and worked for many years in The Hague. He became known for his highly personal approach to still-life painting, often executed in a decorative naïve style distinguished by vivid colours, simplified forms, and intentionally unconventional perspectives. Through these elements, Balvers created compositions that possess a unique poetic atmosphere and visual charm.

Balvers was particularly skilled in depicting interior scenes, vessels, flowers, and everyday domestic objects. Rather than adhering strictly to realism, he employed exaggerated spatial relationships and freely composed arrangements to create works that feel lively, playful, and distinctly modern. While rooted in the tradition of classical still-life painting, his works also convey a childlike purity and intuitive sensitivity that give them a warm and expressive character.

As an important figure within the Dutch art scene, Balvers exhibited at prominent institutions in The Hague, including Haagse Kunstkring and Pulchri Studio. Both institutions have played significant roles in the development of modern Dutch art, further reinforcing Balvers’ artistic presence within the context of contemporary Dutch painting.