Oil on canvas, 70 x 90 cm;
Signed lower right “W.v.Kalisz,” accompanied by the artist’s certificate.
Wilhem von Kalisz is an artist who has become a true phenomenon on the contemporary art market in recent years. A Belgian painter of Polish descent (born in 1979 in Belgium, living and working in the Netherlands, among other places) is active on the global art market. His works have been presented and exhibited in, among other places: the U.S. (an exhibition organized by the Chauvet Arts gallery in Nashville, Tennessee), China, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and Russia.
The artist’s work has been recognized and appreciated by the prestigious Saatchi Art Gallery / Saatchi Gallery in London. W.v.Kalisz’s paintings have become part of their exclusive collection curated by chief curator Rebecca Wilson.
Although his name sounds classical, almost aristocratic, he is a thoroughly modern artist who boldly combines the techniques of the old masters with contemporary aesthetics. Von Kalisz does not copy the classics—he deconstructs them. His works often engage in a dialogue with Rubens, Rembrandt, or Caravaggio. The artist takes on Baroque dynamics, chiaroscuro, and monumental compositions, and then “breaks them down” with modern accents.
In a world dominated by conceptual art and installations, von Kalisz emphasizes the physicality of painting. His canvases are heavy with paint and emotion.
His success rests on two pillars: undeniable technical mastery, which commands the respect of traditionalists, and emotional depth: his paintings are “photogenic” and have a powerful emotional impact, making them a perfect fit for the trend of a return to figurative painting.
The phenomenon of Wilhelm von Kalisz is proof that classical beauty still has tremendous impact, provided it is presented in a fresh, bold way that resonates with the sensibilities of 21st-century viewers. He is an artist who proves that “old-style” painting can be the most exciting element of a modern collection.
“My painting is not just a picture; it is a process of searching for identity in a world that has forgotten tradition but still longs for it.”—this approach best captures the spirit of his work.
