Francien Krieg - When the Guard Drops
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Original oil painting on panel titled When the Guard Drops, a 50 x 60 cm portrait, hand-signed, created in 2026 and in excellent condition.
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Description from the seller
When the Guard Drops
50 x 60 cm / oil on panel
To the future owner,
The background consists of broad, visible brushstrokes in which pink, lilac, gray and cool blue move over one another. On the left the color remains warmer; on the right it becomes darker and cooler. As a result, around the figure there is no concrete space, but an atmosphere that seems to change with its mood.
In the skin lie muted greens, blues, pinks, and earthy tones side by side. Some passages are thin and open, while the face, the shoulders and especially the boxing gloves are built up more solidly. The bright blue of the gloves catches the eye first; up close, the gentler color differences in the body become visible.
This work does not need bright light. Soft daylight or a warm lamp coming somewhat from the side lets the paint texture emerge calmly. On a light wall, the cooler areas become brighter; against a grayish or muted pink wall the painting takes on a more intimate character.
The boxer sits with his eyes closed and his gloves in his lap. There is no opponent and no audience—only the body after the effort. When the Guard Drops is not about loss, but about what becomes visible when strength no longer needs to be held back. At that moment not only his defense sinks, but also the distance between him and the viewer.
Oil paint on panel 0.6 cm
I enjoy making portraits of young men and adolescents because there is something special visible in that stage of life: a vulnerability not yet hardened by the world. Their faces and bodies carry an ambiguity within them – they are not yet fully formed, but full of promise and possibilities. It is precisely that in-between moment I’m after: no longer a child, not yet a man. In that transition lies a beauty I want to capture, the openness of what can still become and the fragile realization that this stage lasts only briefly.
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 linen or smooth panels, and oil paint of top quality, rich in pigment. Each work is made with care and dedication – meant to endure, not only in material, 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 TranslateWhen the Guard Drops
50 x 60 cm / oil on panel
To the future owner,
The background consists of broad, visible brushstrokes in which pink, lilac, gray and cool blue move over one another. On the left the color remains warmer; on the right it becomes darker and cooler. As a result, around the figure there is no concrete space, but an atmosphere that seems to change with its mood.
In the skin lie muted greens, blues, pinks, and earthy tones side by side. Some passages are thin and open, while the face, the shoulders and especially the boxing gloves are built up more solidly. The bright blue of the gloves catches the eye first; up close, the gentler color differences in the body become visible.
This work does not need bright light. Soft daylight or a warm lamp coming somewhat from the side lets the paint texture emerge calmly. On a light wall, the cooler areas become brighter; against a grayish or muted pink wall the painting takes on a more intimate character.
The boxer sits with his eyes closed and his gloves in his lap. There is no opponent and no audience—only the body after the effort. When the Guard Drops is not about loss, but about what becomes visible when strength no longer needs to be held back. At that moment not only his defense sinks, but also the distance between him and the viewer.
Oil paint on panel 0.6 cm
I enjoy making portraits of young men and adolescents because there is something special visible in that stage of life: a vulnerability not yet hardened by the world. Their faces and bodies carry an ambiguity within them – they are not yet fully formed, but full of promise and possibilities. It is precisely that in-between moment I’m after: no longer a child, not yet a man. In that transition lies a beauty I want to capture, the openness of what can still become and the fragile realization that this stage lasts only briefly.
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 linen or smooth panels, and oil paint of top quality, rich in pigment. Each work is made with care and dedication – meant to endure, not only in material, 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 TranslateDetails
Artist
Francien Krieg
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Direct from the artist
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
When the Guard Drops
Technique
Oil painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Netherlands
Year
2026
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
50 cm
Width
60 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Impressionism
Period
2020+
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