Francien Krieg - The Face We Built

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€ 328
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Giulia Resti
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Gallery Estimate  € 1,200 - € 1,500
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€328
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€288
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€3

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Francien Krieg, The Face We Built, an original oil painting on a formed wooden panel about 4 cm thick, 45 × 30 cm, signed, in excellent condition, depicting a portrait in a surrealist style and sold directly from the artist.

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Description from the seller

Original oil painting on a formed wooden panel, about 4 cm thick.

The fragmented portrait and the illusion of overlapping frame elements are painted entirely by hand.

The formed panel creates a trompe-l'oeil effect, where the boundary between painting, frame, and object becomes uncertain. The portrait seems to shift between classical beauty and contemporary fragmentation.

Signed by the artist.

I paint the body at moments when the mask shifts. In old skin, young bodies, boxers, floating figures and quiet portraits I search for vulnerability, strength and the traces of time. My work is not about perfect beauty, but about the human moment when someone becomes momentarily visible.

For those who enjoy not only the final result but also the search behind it, there is more to follow via @francienkrieg.

I enjoy painting portraits of young men and teenagers because in that life phase something special becomes visible: a vulnerability that has not yet been hardened by the world. Their faces and bodies carry an indefiniteness within them – they are not fully formed yet, but full of promise and possibilities. What matters to me is that in-between moment: no longer a child, not yet a man. In that transition lies a beauty I want to capture, the openness of what still can be and the fragile realization that this stage lasts only a short time.

All series – from self-portraits and aging bodies to young male boxers, women at sunset and intimate scenes with cats – can be found on my website, where you can also read more about my background and motivations:
www.francienkrieg.com

I work exclusively with high-quality materials: professionally prepared canvas or smooth panels, and oil paint of top quality, rich in pigment. Each work is created with care and dedication – meant to endure, not only in materials but also in meaning.

Seller's Story

Francien Krieg (b. 1973) is a distinguished Dutch artist renowned for her compelling explorations of the human form, particularly focusing on themes of aging and vulnerability. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, she initially engaged in conceptual installations, utilizing materials like meat and rubber to create thought-provoking pieces that delve into human fragility. Transitioning to painting at The Free Academy in The Hague, Francien developed a distinctive style characterized by unconventional perspectives and a raw portrayal of the human body. Her works challenge societal norms, celebrating the beauty found in imperfection and the passage of time. Her art has been featured in prestigious exhibitions worldwide, including the Scope Basel art fair, Realisme Amsterdam, and esteemed galleries such as Robert Lange Studios in Charleston and the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago. Notably, she participated in the Women Painting Women [r]evolution exhibition at Townsend Atelier in Tennessee and the Strak Realisme show at Gallery Beinart, alongside artists Effie Pryer and Ville Lopponen. Francien's accolades include multiple nominations for the Dutch Portrait Award and being shortlisted for the Figurativas at MEAM in Barcelona in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Her work has been extensively featured in publications like Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, Realisme Today, The Guide Artists, Boldbrush, and Poets and Artists. In 2018, she published a comprehensive book detailing her artistic journey and exploration of the human condition. Her paintings are highly sought after by collectors, with pieces held in significant Dutch collections, including the ING Collection and the former Scheringa Collection. Her collaboration with Gallery Mokum in Amsterdam has further solidified her status in the art market, positioning her among the leading figures in contemporary realism. Francien Krieg continues to captivate audiences with her unflinching portrayal of humanity, inviting viewers to confront and appreciate the profound beauty inherent in imperfection and aging.
Translated by Google Translate

Original oil painting on a formed wooden panel, about 4 cm thick.

The fragmented portrait and the illusion of overlapping frame elements are painted entirely by hand.

The formed panel creates a trompe-l'oeil effect, where the boundary between painting, frame, and object becomes uncertain. The portrait seems to shift between classical beauty and contemporary fragmentation.

Signed by the artist.

I paint the body at moments when the mask shifts. In old skin, young bodies, boxers, floating figures and quiet portraits I search for vulnerability, strength and the traces of time. My work is not about perfect beauty, but about the human moment when someone becomes momentarily visible.

For those who enjoy not only the final result but also the search behind it, there is more to follow via @francienkrieg.

I enjoy painting portraits of young men and teenagers because in that life phase something special becomes visible: a vulnerability that has not yet been hardened by the world. Their faces and bodies carry an indefiniteness within them – they are not fully formed yet, but full of promise and possibilities. What matters to me is that in-between moment: no longer a child, not yet a man. In that transition lies a beauty I want to capture, the openness of what still can be and the fragile realization that this stage lasts only a short time.

All series – from self-portraits and aging bodies to young male boxers, women at sunset and intimate scenes with cats – can be found on my website, where you can also read more about my background and motivations:
www.francienkrieg.com

I work exclusively with high-quality materials: professionally prepared canvas or smooth panels, and oil paint of top quality, rich in pigment. Each work is created with care and dedication – meant to endure, not only in materials but also in meaning.

Seller's Story

Francien Krieg (b. 1973) is a distinguished Dutch artist renowned for her compelling explorations of the human form, particularly focusing on themes of aging and vulnerability. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, she initially engaged in conceptual installations, utilizing materials like meat and rubber to create thought-provoking pieces that delve into human fragility. Transitioning to painting at The Free Academy in The Hague, Francien developed a distinctive style characterized by unconventional perspectives and a raw portrayal of the human body. Her works challenge societal norms, celebrating the beauty found in imperfection and the passage of time. Her art has been featured in prestigious exhibitions worldwide, including the Scope Basel art fair, Realisme Amsterdam, and esteemed galleries such as Robert Lange Studios in Charleston and the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago. Notably, she participated in the Women Painting Women [r]evolution exhibition at Townsend Atelier in Tennessee and the Strak Realisme show at Gallery Beinart, alongside artists Effie Pryer and Ville Lopponen. Francien's accolades include multiple nominations for the Dutch Portrait Award and being shortlisted for the Figurativas at MEAM in Barcelona in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Her work has been extensively featured in publications like Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, Realisme Today, The Guide Artists, Boldbrush, and Poets and Artists. In 2018, she published a comprehensive book detailing her artistic journey and exploration of the human condition. Her paintings are highly sought after by collectors, with pieces held in significant Dutch collections, including the ING Collection and the former Scheringa Collection. Her collaboration with Gallery Mokum in Amsterdam has further solidified her status in the art market, positioning her among the leading figures in contemporary realism. Francien Krieg continues to captivate audiences with her unflinching portrayal of humanity, inviting viewers to confront and appreciate the profound beauty inherent in imperfection and aging.
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Artist
Francien Krieg
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Direct from the artist
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
The Face We Built
Technique
Oil painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Netherlands
Year
2026
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
45 cm
Width
30 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Surrealism
Period
2020+
The NetherlandsVerified
913
Objects sold
100%
protop

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