PHILIPPE DE KRAAN

HIS LEGACY:

“A Quest for Passion – To Master the Meaning of Expression”

Philippe de Kraan, born in Amsterdam and now based in country Victoria, Australia, is fast becoming one of the world’s most acclaimed contemporary expressionist artists. With a prolific body of work and a distinct visual language, de Kraan’s artistic journey spans decades, continents  and styles, united by a relentless quest to explore the depths of human expression.

Over the course of his career, de Kraan has held 48 solo exhibitions across Europe and Australia, including notable shows at the Melbourne Convention Centre (2013) and Mornington (2015). His early works, created during a formative return to Europe in the 1970s, focused on intimate character studies of everyday people, rendered in brush and ink. These foundations later evolved into large-scale oil paintings rooted in expressionism, where every canvas tells a story.

With more than 400 works to date, de Kraan has grouped his output under the evocative title The Masquerade Collection, a series shaped by narrative depth, emotional intensity, and a stylistic influence reminiscent of Van Gogh. This collection reflects his desire to capture the public imagination through vivid form and symbolism.

In 2019, de Kraan was invited by the renowned Steiner Gallery of Vienna to showcase his work at the New York Art Expo, under the theme A Life in Time. This marked a pivotal international moment, which he attended personally. Since then, his global presence has expanded significantly through his representation by the Saphira & Ventura Gallery in New York. His works have been exhibited in both solo and group shows, including prestigious art fairs such as Scope Art Fair (Miami, Florida and New York), The Palm Beach Show, and the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, and again at The Scope Art Fair in late 2022.

His art has also entered the digital realm, with NFT presentations gaining international attention.

In Australia, for some years now , de Kraan has been  exclusively represented by Nissarana Galleries in Mornington, Victoria, and Noosa, Queensland.

2019 was also the year he achieved further acclaim by placing second in the international online exhibition 100 Vibrant Artists of LA, with his vibrant painting Rhythm of Life. His recognition continued to grow when, in 2022, he was nominated among the “100 Most Influential and Valuable Artists Globally” at the LABA Los Angeles International Arts Festival in Beverly Hills, where he was ranked number 7 in the world by an independent committee.

One of his most significant works, The Gathering (2012), a monumental 10 x 6.5 ft canvas, has drawn comparisons to pointillism, echoing the legacy of French artist , Georges Pierre Seurat. According to Saphira & Ventura Gallery, this piece is destined to stand the test of time.

Reflecting on his creative philosophy, de Kraan shares:
“Expressionism has given me the freedom to explore a different dimension in art, to exaggerate realism through oil and watercolour using stimulating shapes and styles. This is what defines The Masquerade Collection. My reputation as a psychedelic enigma has grown, as I give life to new souls on canvas. They speak to me first, then to the audience. This process, both passion and pain, drives my life’s work. This is my journey: to offer what I have, and to leave a strong legacy.”

In a landmark event in 2023, de Kraan further solidified his legacy with the launch of The De Kraan Art Museum in Midtown Manhattan, New York. Held in collaboration with Saphira & Ventura Gallery and the New York International Contemporary Art Society, this exclusive museum debuted on April 13, 2023, with 300 guests in attendance. It was inaugurated as part of his 48th solo exhibition, showcasing his work in a permanent and dedicated space, a fitting tribute to a life immersed in the pursuit of artistic truth.