WILLEM DOLPHYN 80 paintings for 80 years
WILLEN DOLPHYN
80 Paintings for 80 Years – 13 – 27 November 2015 Fruits... like having their portrait painted. They seem to sit there and ask your forgiveness for fading. Their thought is given off with their perfumes. They come with all their scents, they speak of the fields they have left, the rain which has nourished them, the daybreaks they have seen. - Paul Cezanne
Celebration! Birthdays and anniversaries mark special and important milestones and this rather special Willem Dolphyn exhibition remarkably achieves two. With Willem’s typical style and Burgundian love of life we have Willem’s 80th year neatly coinciding with a very special 30 year anniversary of exhibiting with our gallery. Willem arrived at Bill Patterson’s door in 1985, kindred spirits struck a chord immediately and a deep friendship began between the two gentlemen. Over the years the main characters have changed, some old friends sadly departing, but some new friends arriving, and even Willem’s London home has moved. Consistently watching over all this however has been Willem himself. The one solid constant throughout the ever changing times, Willem effortlessly evolving from an energetic quinquagenarian to a lively sexagenarian to a talented septuagenarian to an awesome octogenarian. Throughout these years, we have all enjoyed Willem’s generosity, his time, his world and his passionate imagination. The quality of his work has been consistently outstanding and inspiring. In honour and celebration of 80 magnificent years, we have collated together a collection of 80 paintings to illustrate the exceptional talent with which Willem is blessed. We invite you to come and enjoy these masterpieces. Many, many happy returns from us all on your 80th Birthday and very many thanks for your loyalty and love over 30 years. With best wishes from all of your friends in London.
Arabic Treasures Oil on Canvas
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28” x 40”, 70 x 100 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Silver Strawberries Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
Red, White and Blue Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Pear Delight Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
Sweet Temptation Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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A Trio of Strawberries
The Artist’s Interlude
Oil on Panel
Oil on Panel
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6” x 4”, 15 x 10 cms
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6” x 4”, 15 x 10 cms
Fresh on the Branch Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50cms WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Golden Figs Oil on Panel 14
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
A Taste of the Orient Oil on Panel
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28” x 20”, 70 x 50 cms WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Willem at 5 months old
Willem with Anna The Dolphyn Family on the Beach
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Willem in the Army
Childhood and Young Adult - Victor and Anna Born in Antwerp on 17 May 1935, Willem Leo Jan Dolphyn was the only son of Victor Dolphyn and Anna de Ridder. In 1941 his father, Victor, began teaching at the Academy in Antwerp, and with his father already an established and talented artist, Willem clearly had painting in his blood. He began drawing at the age of 4 with a picture of a group of swans inspired after a visit to the Antwerp Zoo. It was at the age of 12 that through his grandfather’s tales, he began his interest in Eastern culture, and when he was 15, he signed up as an ordinary seaman to give himself the opportunity to travel and explore for himself. He visited countries including Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, Egypt and Libya and it wasn’t long before he was to travel to the Far East to see for himself where these tales came from. It is a passion that has never left him and has grown stronger and stronger over the years. Later that year, in 1950 he joined the Antwerp Academy and at 17 became the youngest pupil to be admitted to the National Higher Institute for Fine Arts where he excelled and honed his skills. In 1954, Willem joined the army in the 29th Engineering Corps and for two years moved bags of cement around... but his true calling always remained and it wasn’t too long before he found the success which would enable him to fund his extraordinary passion for collecting and more importantly, would allow him to share his talent with the entire world.
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Peacock Perfection Oil on Canvas
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30” x 40”, 80 x 100 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Pink Lady Apples and a Dutch Roemer Glass Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
The First Pick Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Cherry Reflections Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
Summer’s Bounty Oil on Panel
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28” x 24”, 70 x 60 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Marine Delicacy
A Shell and a ‘Pearl’
Oil on Panel
Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
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8” x 12”, 21 x 30 cms
80 paintings for 80 years
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Strawberry Harvest Oil on Panel 26
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
A Pair of Strawberries
The Roman Glass
Oil on Panel
Oil on Panel
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3.5” x 3.5”, 9 x 9 cms
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4” x 6”, 10 x 15 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Studio and Painting - The Early Years In 1957 Willem held one of his first shows when he exhibited a collection of miniatures at Nijenrode Castle in the Netherlands. It was a great success and heralded the start of good things to come. However, Willem would have to wait a few years for his first major breakthrough and in the interim (around 1964) he began teaching figure drawing and still-life painting at the Mol Academy. He also opened De Kroeg, a simple pub on the Conscienceplein which he ran for 5 years and supplemented his income by turning his hand to book and cartoon illustration during this time. It was 1968 which became the pivotal year for Willem, with his first show at the Gebo Gallery. It was very well received. Forty two landscapes and still-life paintings were sold and commissions flooded in which enabled him to give up his job at the Academy in Mol. He went on to design stamps for the Belgian post office in 1973 and to contribute to the 1974 group exhibition by the New Antwerp Realists.
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WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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An Emperor’s Banquet Oil on Canvas
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39.5” x 31.5”, 100 x 80 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Juicy Delights Oil on Panel
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28” x 24”, 70 x 60 cms
A Siegburg Jug and Grapes
Miniature Clementines
Oil on Panel
Oil on Panel
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8” x 10”, 20 x 25 cms
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6” x 4”, 15 x 10 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Summer Strawberries Oil on Panel 34
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
Black Forest Cherries Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
Porcelain Perfection Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Blue Designs Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50 cms
Summer Plums Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
Rustic Figs Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Onions from the Kitchen Garden Oil on Panel 38
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
First Harvest Oil on Panel
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28” x 24”, 70 x 60 cms WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Willem and Denise on their travels
Willem with Anna The Tango with Ellen Willem and Victor, New Years Eve 1990
Willem and Walter Willem and Yvonne on their wedding day 40
Home and Family Life Willem is a traditional family man. Brought up in a loving environment, his parents Victor and Anna installed a strong sense of hard work in the young Willem whilst letting him remain the free spirit that he still is today. Willem said of his father “he is in his life and certainly in his work, my daily example.” In the early 1960’s Willem met a lady called Yvonne de Rudder. He was taken by her love of life and sense of humour and they married on 6th May 1961. Early married life saw them renovating houses for a while and they made ends meet with Willem’s paintings. Then on 21st December 1963, Yvonne gave birth to their son, Walter. Many happy years ensued as Walter grew up and worked alongside his father, painting eventually in the same studio together. After his amicable divorce from Yvonne, Willem met Denise Hermann in the early eighties, and she has become his constant companion, playing a valuable part in all aspects of his life.
Willem’s 80th Birthday Party, Antwerp
In 1979 Willem bought a small townhouse in Antwerp which he has expanded now into the neighbouring properties. Willem has created a beautiful home here which gives the feel of walking into a museum. 1992 saw highs and lows, with both the wedding of his son to Inge at the start of the year and the death of his father in the summer. These two events would shape the subsequent years, with a new Dolphyn family just beginning. Willem’s first grand daughter, Ellen, was born on 1 August 1994 and Margot followed on 5 March 1998. The early noughties saw the death of his beloved mother Anna and in 2004, Walter and his family moved to France. This move allowed his grandchildren to grow up close to the summer house of his father Victor and ensured happy Dolphyn holidays in the sun. Walter, Willem and Ellen
Earlier this year in May, several of us from the gallery were excited to visit Antwerp for Willem’s 80th birthday celebrations. It was a superb affair with over 200 people in attendance - an impressive tribute to a great man!
Willem with Ellen and Margot
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Middle Eastern Delights Oil on Canvas
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28” x 40”, 70 x 100 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Family Trompe L’oeil Oil on Panel
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16” x 12”, 40 x 30 cms
The Artist’s Collection Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Fresh from the Vine Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
Silver Reflections Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
Royal Delights Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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A Taste of Spain
Rustic Pleasure
Oil on Panel
Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
Autumn Quinces Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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The Study Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
Regal Figs Oil on Panel
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24’’ x 20’’, 60 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Travelling and adventures When Willem was 15, he went by boat to visit Turkey. It was his first experience of the Eastern way of life and it made a deep impression on him. During the trip he made a series of miniatures recording the events of the journey. A profound interest in the Orient was formed on this adventure and this has grown into one of his life’s major passions. It was soon after his return at the age of 16 in 1951 that Willem bought his first Samurai sword. This was the start of a collection which now contains 95 swords and 20 suits of armour.
An American road
Willem in Japan
In 1982 he co-founded the To-Ken club in Belgium which is a society of Japanese arms and armour collectors and he remains an active member today. Throughout Willem’s life he has undertaken many excursions, visiting the countries of the Middle and Far East - Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and North and South America and a childhood dream was fulfilled when he visited the Dayaks in Borneo. The Eastern way of life, the atmosphere, the calm and sobriety that he found there, Willem bought back to his studio and to his house in Antwerp, which accommodates his impressive collection of armour, swords, carvings, stone and bronze hatchets. Willem also enjoys sailing and visiting his house in France near Walter, his son.
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trip
Backpacking in Borneo
Sailing on the Integrity
Borneo, 1986
On an Arctic Expedition
Willems Collection of Armour
Flying a Boeing-Stearman, 1998
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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The Decadent Spread Oil on Canvas
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32” x 40”, 80 x 100 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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An Autumn Harvest Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
Flemish Hazelnuts Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Silver Grapes Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
Oriental Peaches Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Dessert Plums Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
Golden Greengages Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Pears and a White Delft Jug Oil on Panel
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28” x 24”, 70 x 60 cms
A Succulent Crop Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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No. 5 Beauchamp Place Willem and Walter with Patricia Patterson in November 2014
An early visit to London
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Marie-Claire and Glenn with Willem at his 80th Birthday Party
London and the Gallery Meeting Monique Verschuren in the early eighties was an important moment in Willem’s career. Inspired by his paintings, Monique initially organised an exhibition of his work in her hometown of Zierikzee in the Netherlands in 1983, quickly following this up with an exhibition at Hotel des Indes in The Hague in 1984. These shows were enthusiastically received and were both sold out exhibitions - Willem’s international reputation was secured and Monique then took him to London to meet Bill Patterson. In 1985 Bill held his first show in Mayfair at W.H.Patterson. Sell out shows were a regular feature as Patterson’s clients embraced Willem’s supreme talent and enhanced their collections.
A visit to the new gallery
For Willem the nineties and noughties saw the majority of his exhibitions in the British capital at Pattersons. Every other year ‘the Dolphyn Exhibition’ was widely anticipated. This he alternated with exhibitions in the Sporting d’hiver in the Monaco Fine Art gallery. The Dolphyn’s also held family exhibitions, Willem showing alongside his father Victor, Victor’s brother Denis and Willem’s son Walter. These group shows brought together the broad range of painting talents and genres from each family member. In Elzenveld in 1990 Willem, Victor and Denis exhibited as “3 Dolphyn’s” and in 2010 at Koksijde, Walter exhibited alongside his father and grandfather. The death of Bill Patterson in 2002, and the later sale of the gallery by Patricia to the Fuller family from Gladwell and Company saw transition and renewed fortunes. Willem stayed loyal to the gallery through this time of change exhibiting his solid bond and unerring sense of duty. He was rewarded in 2010 with his Silver Jubilee exhibition, a major milestone for any artist and gallery partnership. International shows continued to span the globe in cherished cities like Kobe and Osaka, Japan, as well as new centres for art like the Middle East and Dubai. W. H. Patterson regularly took Willem’s work to art fairs across America and the Far East - the Salmagundi club in New York, and Fine Art Asia in Hong Kong being highlights. We are excited about hosting this 30th anniversary exhibition for Willem in his 80th year. It really is quite a show!
The first show at W. H. Patterson
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Dutch Clementines Oil on Panel
66
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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A Basket of Grapes Oil on Panel 68
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
Blueberry Pickings Oil on Panel
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8” x 12”, 20 x 30 cms
Blueberry Delight Oil on Panel
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6” x 8”, 15 x 20 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Kir Plums Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
Limoges Blueberries Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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A Wonderful Glaze Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50 cms
Lemon Reflection Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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The Line Up Oil on Panel
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10” x 24”, 25 x 60 cms
A Basket of Plums Oil on Panel
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10” x 24”, 25 x 60 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Studio and Painting - The Present For Willem the most important thing in life is his painting. He has been working in his studio off Venustraat since 1963. For over 50 years he has, from that one spot, created around 2,500 paintings. A monumental achievement for one man. The rooms are crowded with historic furniture, the shelves are loaded with treasures, fabrics, glassware and ceramics which span the centuries, gleaming and glinting in the Northern light, each piece collected with pride and all contributing to his incredible compositions. The ideas for these compositions come to Willem during the night. Even in his dreams he works, seeing Roman glass, Delft tiles, Flemish tapestry, fine fruits and expensive china drawn from across the continent and coming all together in his mind. Willem often undertakes commissions for friends, family and his collectors. Portraits, cherished places or his exceptional still lifes created with that personal touch to strike an enduring chord. Recent favourites have included the design of a bottle label for Anvers wine and four monumental pieces which were completed a couple of years ago, specifically designed for an esteemed clients’ drawing room in Jersey. Over recent years the City of Antwerp have threatened Willem’s cherished studio with re-development. Willem has stoically worked on, continuing his commitment to his beloved space.
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WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Hand Tied Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Sumptuous Treats Oil on Panel
80
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
Ripe from the Vine Oil on Panel
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16” x 12”, 40 x 30 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Ripe and Ready Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
The Intruder Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Old Master Treasures Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
Gooseberries Oil on Panel
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4” x 6, 10 x 15 cms
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4” x 6”, 10 x 15 cms
Hazlenuts Oil on Panel
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Summer Redcurrants Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
Redcurrants and an 18th Century Silver Chalise Oil on Panel
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40
Blue and Red Oil on Panel
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16” x 20”, 40 x 50
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Skyline of Antwerp Oil on Canvas
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70” x 197”, 180 x 500 cms
Willem’s Antwerp Masterpiece In 2008 Willem started a mammoth task that was a childhood dream of his, which was to do a major painting of the skyline of Antwerp. A year and four months later this incredible undertaking was completed and a beautifully executed painting measuring 1.8m high by 5m wide was presented to the World. Featuring Antwerp from the left bank of the Schelde river, it is only the fourth painting of this size and magnitude that has been painted since the 16th century. Initially the painting was on display at the prestigious KBS bank building and more recently it has found a home in the magnificent entranceway to the Price Waterhouse Coopers building in Antwerp. It is truly a masterpiece and a crowning achievement.
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Ode to Bacchus Oil on Panel
90
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32” x 24”, 80 x 60 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Sweet Strawberries Oil on Panel
92
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12” x 16”, 30 x 40 cms
Dark Treasures Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Subtle Shades of Green Oil on Panel
94
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
A Refreshing Platter Oil on Panel
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24” x 20”, 60 x 50 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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Tangerines with a Continental Jug Oil on Panel
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20” x 24”, 50 x 60 cms
Burgundian Plums Oil on Panel
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20” x 16”, 50 x 40 cms
WILLEM DOLPHYN
80 paintings for 80 years
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5 Beauchamp Place, London SW3 1NG • +44 (0)20 7584 5512 • glenn@gladwellpatterson.com • gladwellpatterson.com