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If you are interested in works of art by Bert Hermans please contact us:
management@paks-gallery.com
Munich
Vienna
gallery by the castle
Heidenreichstein
In his work as a painter Bert Hermans is inspired by architecture, in particular industrial and
cultural heritage. He is originally from Voorburg in the Netherlands and his interest in industrial and
cultural architectural forms started during high school when he wanted to become an architect.
Over the past decades, the scope of his work has expanded. Now Bert Hermans likes to draw the
viewer's attention to a reality that cannot be seen at first glance. He is fascinated by perspectives,
precision and colour to create strange environments for people in an eclectic way in historic and
mostly dilapidated buildings.
His work is inspired by the paintings of famous artists such as M.C. Esscher, Carel Willink and
Edward Hopper.
His style is realistic, but he likes to avoid photorealism. Despite the realism of the images, they
retain an atmosphere of fantasy. The paintings sometimes have a surreal appearance that
emphasizes the 'unbelievable'. At the same time, the artist hopes that the narrative content will
take the viewer on a socially critical journey and make him or her aware of new perspectives on
reality and illusions of reality.
Bert Hermans uses various media including photography and sketches to explore architecture and
space. He usually visit the buildings he wants to paint. His paintings develop through observation
and are rather a response to the places he has visited in real life.
He often start my work by noticing details of the environment; the way light filters through a
window, for example, or the shadows that play on a wall. Sometimes Bert Hermans accentuate the
observed phenomena by using acrylic paste and colour. He works back and forth between
photography and painting, developing layers, both in the creation process and in the work itself.
The source of inspiration for my paintings are abandoned and often dilapidated industrial buildings,
which he usually capture through sketches and photos just before demolition or renovation. For
example, he painted ‘The Violin Player’ in the former Electricity Factory in The Hague. In addition
to industrial heritage, I also paint cultural heritage: well-maintained or restored buildings with
cultural value. An example is the painting: ‘And where is the Countess?’.
And where is the countess?
2020, 80 x 60 cm, Oil on canvas
'The Violin Player' (The Power Station)
2020, 80 x 60 cm, Oil on canvas
