Wout Wachtmeester
"Birds you might spot in your own garden gain an enchanting depth through the subtle play of light and shadow."
Wout Wachtmeester (1958) is a self-taught, passionate, and perfectionist painter who has refined his brushwork over the years. With countless shades of green, strong contrasts of light and dark, and astonishing detail, he convincingly brings a forest to life. A feast for the eyes and the senses. Already more than enough, one might say.
But his striking collections of trees are more than just beautiful forest scenes. When you walk with your eyes through one of Wout Wachtmeester’s forests, you can feel the sparkle of sunlight on your face, hear the rustling of leaves, the whisper of the wind, and the snap of a twig beneath your feet.
Wout Wachtmeester creates tangible atmospheres that go beyond representation. He evokes wonder at the beauty of the natural world and reconnects us with it. At the same time, you sense the overwhelming grandeur of the depicted landscape, with something mystical shimmering in the background.
You walk on ground that holds history—our history—and you feel it. As if the trees are speaking.
It is up to us to truly see the forest for the trees, to cherish it, and to protect it.
