Gerard Prent

He was commissioned to create murals in the newly constructed government buildings in the Netherlands, such as the customs office in Vlissingen, the correctional facilities of Zwolle and Heerhugowaard, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.

[1] It was within these structures that his work developed in a more anecdotal and allegorical mode; while exploring various kinds of media, submerging the painting for the time being.

His attempt to live outside of art in France was the catalyst for his discovery of the joy of painting through the simplicity of his subject and the emphasis on the transparency of his palette.

Gerard Prent created a large series of “Mussen” (Sparrows in Dutch), of which many paintings found their way to collectors and admirers.

The simplicity of the subject has remained: from 2004 onwards Prent continues to paint just a simple corner in the garden, or a spot on the side of the road, with large strokes and exuberant colours and shapes.