Joop Birker (1935–1993) - Schelde, Antwerpen

Impressive and large work by Joop Birker (1935–1993), executed in oil on canvas and signed lower right.

Birker paints here the Scheldt near Antwerp in his characteristic, expressive visual language. Ships, quays and buildings are not rendered precisely, but built up from bold brushstrokes, impasto layers of paint and a rich palette of blue, ocher, red and earth tones. Especially the sturdy handling of the material gives the surface a lively, almost tangible texture.

The work sits at the fascinating boundary between figuration and abstraction: the Antwerp port and the Scheldt remain clearly recognizable, while color, rhythm and paint texture take on an independent role.

Particularly interesting is the original note on the back of the canvas, with the artist’s name, Antwerp and the title “Schelde.” This documents both the subject and the Antwerp context of the painting.

A powerful and representative work by Birker, additionally appealing due to its large format and the pronounced Antwerp subject.

Artist: Joop Birker (1935–1993)
Title: Schelde
Technique: oil on canvas
Dimensions: ca. 86 × 101 cm, including frame
Signature: signed lower right
Verso: inscription with artist’s name, Antwerp and “Schelde”