Francien Krieg - Softly undone

09
days
01
hour
47
minutes
31
seconds
Current bid
€ 290
Reserve price not met
Heiko Neitzel
Expert
Selected by Heiko Neitzel

Holds a master’s in art and culture mediation with extensive gallery assistant experience.

Gallery Estimate  € 1,200 - € 1,500
NL
€290
NL
€250
DE
€1

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Francien Krieg’s original oil painting Softly undone, an impressionist portrait measuring 30 cm by 40 cm, hand-signed, dated 2026, originated in the Netherlands and sold directly from the artist.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

I am Francien Krieg, a Dutch figurative painter.

For more than 25 years, the human body has been at the center of my work. I studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague and further developed my painting at the Free Academy. My work has been exhibited internationally and selected for the Figurativas competition at MEAM in Barcelona. In 2023 I took second place in Painting of the Year. Recently I was among the 25 finalists for Artist of the Year 2027.

For years I mainly painted older women in my series Precious Bodies, about which a book was published in 2018. These paintings are about aging, visibility, and the narrow beauty ideals with which we view bodies. What moves me are the traces of a life lived: changing skin, a characteristic posture, the presence of someone who is more than her appearance.

In recent years I have also turned my gaze toward young men and the uncertainty of puberty. In portraits, figures in water, boxers, and boys with parts of a harness I explore the tension between vulnerability and the expectation to be strong. Protection can offer safety, but it can also become a weight you carry with you.

Although the ages of my models differ, the questions remain connected. What does a body reveal? What do we try to hide? How much space do we give each other to change, to grow older, or to not know for a moment?

The works in this duo auction spring from those questions. I seek beauty in which discomfort and imperfection may also exist. For moments when a glance or a gesture makes something felt that words fail to express.

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

I am Francien Krieg, a Dutch figurative painter.

For more than 25 years, the human body has been at the center of my work. I studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague and further developed my painting at the Free Academy. My work has been exhibited internationally and selected for the Figurativas competition at MEAM in Barcelona. In 2023 I took second place in Painting of the Year. Recently I was among the 25 finalists for Artist of the Year 2027.

For years I mainly painted older women in my series Precious Bodies, about which a book was published in 2018. These paintings are about aging, visibility, and the narrow beauty ideals with which we view bodies. What moves me are the traces of a life lived: changing skin, a characteristic posture, the presence of someone who is more than her appearance.

In recent years I have also turned my gaze toward young men and the uncertainty of puberty. In portraits, figures in water, boxers, and boys with parts of a harness I explore the tension between vulnerability and the expectation to be strong. Protection can offer safety, but it can also become a weight you carry with you.

Although the ages of my models differ, the questions remain connected. What does a body reveal? What do we try to hide? How much space do we give each other to change, to grow older, or to not know for a moment?

The works in this duo auction spring from those questions. I seek beauty in which discomfort and imperfection may also exist. For moments when a glance or a gesture makes something felt that words fail to express.

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

Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Direct from the artist
Edition
Original
Artist
Francien Krieg
Title of artwork
Softly undone
Technique
Oil painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Netherlands
Year
2026
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
30 cm
Width
40 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Impressionism
Period
2020+
The NetherlandsVerified
936
Objects sold
100%
pro

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