GUSTAV YKEMA'S ARTWORK

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

Willem Koekoek

Willem Koekoek son of marine painter Hermanus Koeokoek Sr. was the only one of the extended family of painters to specialize in Dutch cityscape. Cornelis Springer was his great example. Koekoek lived in Amsterdam but made many sketching trips to Dutch cities. In 1888 he must have made a trip to London with his brother Hermanus Jr. who established himself there as an art dealer. His work was therefore regularly traded in the English capital. Willem Koekoek is widely regarded as one of the most talented painters of cityscapes. As a true representative of Dutch Romanticism, he emphasized the picturesque character of the Dutch cities. He was not always concerned about the topgraphical correctness of the composition. His cityscapes of cities such as Utrecht,The Hague,Amstelveen,Kampen or Enkhuizen are a combination of historical reconstruction and fantasy-capriccios. His paintings were especially popular abroad. They corresponed to the idyllic image of people had of the old Dutch towns.

Willem lived from 1839-1895

This painting was originally done oil on canvas size 27 1/4″x 21 1/4″ privately owned

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.