GUSTAV YKEMA'S ARTWORK

Gustav Ykema's artworks including paintings, drawings, photographs, sketches, etc.

Het Straatje

(The Little Street)

Painted by Johannes Vermeer in 1657-1658. original oil on canvas. 21 3/8″ x 17 3/8 inches

Painting hangs in the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam the Netherlands

Owner is Pieter van Ruijven

The painting is of a contemporary street in 17th century Delft. The houses no longer exhist. The location is debated to be the Voldersgracht or the Nieuwe Langendijk 22-26. The latest update says it to be the Vlamingstraat 40 and 42. This property on the right is said to belong to Vermeer’s aunt Ariantgen Claes van der Minne. She had a business selling tripe. The passegeway beside the house was known as the Penspoort or Tripe Gate. Vermeer’s mother and sister lived on the same canal diagonally opposite from this address.

Vermeer lived from 1632-1675 and his known works amount to 36 pieces.

The question why I decided to paint this work of art.

Visiting the Rijks Museum the original made such an impression on me that I wanted to be able to experience the journey of creating such a piece, in my own way, and to have it hang on my wall to enjoy since the Rijks Museum was not just around the corner  to visit.

Johannes Anthonie Balthasar Stroebel

July 1,2025

Stroebel was an artist teacher 1821-1905

original was oil on panel 1880

I made this with acrylic on paper 18 in x 24 in.

I felt the need to highlight this not so known Dutch artist and experience the process of completing a painting in this genre. I was given an old frame from a fellow artist and felt this painting would be appropriate to match to.

The Third Side

This poem I wrote in 2004 is so appropiate to the now Ukraine war. Under the circumstances what is the solution when you deal with someone who is unrational. Any rational solution does not apply here. A autocrat/ dictator knows only one language and that is strength. We know the suffering and damage it has created to this generation and those to come. Our enemy is two fold one the man with his propaganda who started this and secondly peoples naivety and natural emotion of war fatigue. Both must be championed, we must not falter as a peace loving society. Time is so important, because the longer it takes to defeat this threat, the more physical/ emotional damage will occur. We as a society must not fear the verbal threats. The damage is done it will only get worse and there is only one answer. We must face the aggressor with the entire brunt of our capabilities, no half measures.

Slava Ukraini

Oranjestad Aruba

Vacationing in one of the ABC islands you experience beautiful weather and beautiful beaches. in the capitol city of Aruba, Oranjestad, you will experience sites such as this. The colours and shapes of this square inspired me to paint it.

Reestraat, Prinsengracht, Westerkerk Amsterdam

The WesterKerk is where my parents were married. The tower is adorned with the crown of Maximillian I of Austria (Archduke of Austria, German King, Holy Roman Emperor 1493-1519, the Habsburg family) and since 1498 Amsterdam was permitted to show the crown. Bicycles outnumber the population, but not the only means to get around, electric scooters are popular as well.

At This Moment

Not all of us are born on this earth where the natural resources provide us opportunities. We have the technology to help others exploit their natural resources, in a sustainable way. Whether it means drilling wells or building desalination plants. Once the worlds’ poor are able to have the same opportunities, in their own countries, many many problems could be resolved.

Niagara Falls Canada

A wonder we Canadians take for granted. The never ending flow of water that gives life to our surroundings , provides us with hydro-electric power, and gives those who visit a beauty like very few places in the world. It fuels the economy of two nations directly expanding it’s reach deep into the states and provinces covering thousands of kilometers.