René Van der Meulen

René van der Meulen (1940) began his artistic career as a photographer, creating experimental works that were showcased in prominent collections, including those of the Stedelijk Museum, the Frans Hals Museum, and the Prentenkabinet in Leiden. In his later years, Van der Meulen transitioned from photography to painting, having long desired to dedicate himself fully to the canvas. Despite this shift, traces of his photographic background remain evident in his artwork. As a professional photographer, Van der Meulen was constantly confronted with the sharp, precise imagery of the real world. However, he found that dramatic and emotional events often elude the lens. In his paintings, he channels these experiences, drawing inspiration from the emotions they evoke. The imagery in his work is influenced by moments he captured as a photographer, such as the interplay of light and shadow on a wall, the eerie atmosphere of a foggy fishing village, or the unusual shape of a rain puddle containing wind-blown sand. Van der Meulen’s compositions emerge intuitively, navigating between the figurative and the abstract. Figures in his work may be distorted and twisted, surrounded by bursts of color, structure, and dynamic lines. His expressive use of vibrant colors echoes the Cobra movement, with which he shares an affinity. Using acrylics, oils, gouaches, and collage elements, including photographic material, Van der Meulen’s works reflect his nightly creative process, where his fantasies and emotions come alive in a world between reality and imagination.