The Jeanne Oosting Prize is awarded every year to two artists working in a figurative style. It was created almost fifty years ago, in 1970, by Adriana Johanna Wilhelmina (Jeanne) Bieruma Oosting. She was a Dutch sculptor, graphic artist, painter, and illustrator whose impressive artworks were highly popular in the mid-20th century. Since 1994, after Oosting’s death, the awards have been given by the foundation named after the artist.

This year, the prize goes to Hannah Van Bart, an artist from Amsterdam. She will be awarded on June 7, 2019. The persons honored by the award are selected by the jury consisting of three prominent artists. In 2019, it included Tim Ayres, Maaike Schoorel, and Lieven Hendriks.

Hannah Van Bart lives and works in Amsterdam. She prefers painting portraits, landscapes, and still life. In her art, she makes an attempt to explore the intricacies of the relationships between the interior and exterior life. Hannah Van Bart rarely uses bright colors — her palette is subtle and matte, and her brushwork is delicate. She combines figures, interiors, and exteriors, thus stating that there are no distinctions between the subjects. The style of Van Bart is remarkable for distinctive outlines, layered brushwork, and unique patterns.

Photo credit: Marianne Boesky Gallery/marianneboeskygallery.com

Hannah Van Bart uses her personal experience, memories, and impressions when creating her paintings. She paints unconventional portraits of men and women: it is hard to understand what era or epoch they belong to; it seems that they exist somewhere in the timeless space. Very often, the artist makes an accent on one peculiar detail — an elbow, a gesture, a piece of clothing. She uses the poses, gazes, and facial expressions of her characters to convey their personalities. The main idea of Van Bart’s art is that painting can be both the manifestation of actual reality and the creation of a brand-new world at the same time.

The artist earned the award by means of her considerable contribution to the world of figurative art. Hannah Van Bart’s works are exhibited in many museums and galleries all around the world, including at Marianne Boesky Gallery, Stedelijk Museum, the XI Biennale de Lyon, the Singer Laren, and many others.