Paul S. Brown

Grapes and Mandarins

Oil on Panel

70 x 60 cms / 27½" x 23½"

Willem Dolphyn

Belgian, (1935-2016)

Instantly recognisable as the master of still life painting in Antwerp. Demonstrating the sheer technical virtuosity in the handling of light, texture and atmosphere, his works contain a rich purity which sets them apart from others.

Willem gained a great deal of experience and professional knowledge from his father Victor, who was a teacher at the Academy and the founder of the new Classic School of Traditional painting. This developed Willem’s keen understanding of composition, detail and colour.

For Willem the most important thing in life was his painting. He worked in his studio off Venustraat from 1963 to his death in 2016. For over 50 years, from that one spot, Willem created around 2,500 paintings. A monumental achievement for one man.

Willem was an avid collector of traditional Japanese armour, Dutch Roemer glassware, Arabian fabrics and ceramics which he carefully composed into his still life paintings. The rooms were crowded with historic furniture, the shelves were 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 came to Willem during the night. Even in his dreams he worked, 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 undertook 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.

W. H. Patterson held Willem’s first solo exhibition at in 1985 to great acclaim. Sell out shows became a regular feature as Patterson’s clients embraced Willem’s supreme talent and enhanced their collections with his spectacular composotions.