Peter van Poppel was born in Utrecht in 1945. Faithful to his birthplace, he studied in its School voor de Grafische Vakken (School for Graphic Arts), and would later be associated with the movement named after the city: the Utrecht School.
A staple on the creative scene, Van Poppel is renowned for his figures. Their childlike features, in particular, are immediately recognisable. The contrast which these out-of-proportion juvenile faces create with their environment and situation confers a magical quality to the painter’s compositions. At first glance, these scenes appear to be drawn from everyday life, but on closer inspection, a degree of fantasy is always present.
Although undeniably modern, Van Poppel’s works pay subtle tribute to past masters such as Carel Fabritius and Rembrandt van Rijn (and, to a lesser extent, Moesman, Dolf Zwerver and Peter Vos), particularly through the use of subdued colours and attention to detail.
With this embraced heritage and personal style, Van Poppel has created a delicately personal vernacular that allows him to discuss everyday themes with a distanced irony that is never critical, but always observant.
His recent exhibitions include: Art Breda, Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (2017); Bekende en Onbekende Pareltjes uit de 20ste eeuw IV, Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (2017); PAN Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (2016); De Klassieke Salon, Museum Martema, Franeker (2016); De Klassieke Salon, Galerie Den Andel, Den Andel (2016); Seizoenen van het leven, Zomer expositie Intermedi-art, Stevenskerk, Nijmegen (2015); Hommage aan Ton, Galerie Petit, Amsterdam (2015); Figurativ Fokus, Sophienholm Kunsthal, Lyngby (2014); PAN, Galerie Lieve Hemel (2013).
