Robert van de Graaf (b. 1983, the Netherlands) is a visual artist living and working in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Van de Graaf received a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Architecture (Technical University Delft) in 2009. In 2005 and 2006, he worked as an intern in architecture in New York City (Steven Learner Studio), while also creating artworks in his West Harlem studio.
Since 2012 he is devoting himself entirely to his career as a visual artist. He has since produced a large body of work, consisting of theme-based series of artworks which are exhibited in numerous online and physical exhibitions, like his solo exhibition at the ‘Salon des Arts’ in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in 2023. The exhibition was curated by Ad Himmelreich, curator and former conservator of the Bonnefantenmuseum (NL) and has written an essay about the artworks of Robert. His work is represented by contemporary art gallery Al-Tiba9 Contemporary (Barcelona) on Artsy.
The artworks have been published in several international art magazines and art books as Art Maze Magazine, Aesthetica Magazine, art magazine Al-Tiba9, Contemporary Art Collector Magazine, Artsin Square Magazine and N/A Magazine.
Robert enjoyed an intense private painting and drawing training at an early age (1996 - 2001) by the Dutch artist Erica Meyster (1949 - 2006). This period remains of great importance to his development as an artist.
Van de Graaf is interested in the connections and relations between the mystical in this world, in all its manifestations (the sea, the sky, nature, human built environments, light and darkness), and the sense and the dimension of the spiritual world and our soul.
In his exploration he is seeking the mystical hidden in this world which he translates into metaphorical paintings. The works express a complex interplay of visual impressions combined with emotional and spiritual reflection. Each piece gives substance to his ongoing personal journey to seek meaning in life.
He draws his inspiration from spiritual and religious stories, mythology, mystical places and the philosophy of life. His poetry, written during or before the creative process, also has a direct influence on his work.
Though primarily working on his oil paintings, he is also using drawings and watercolours during the creation process. The works are layered, densely merging his diverse range of mark making, the expressive use of colour and studied compositions. The paintings are often large in scale and balance between the figurative and the abstract, giving a certain freedom to the viewer.
His art is held in private collections through the Netherlands, the United States and France.
