Education: New Academy of Fine Arts, Utrecht.

When we look at the work of Lita van Engelenhoven, you might think that it is about still lifes. This is not the case as far as the artist is concerned. They are only forms that are used and that are reminiscent of still lifes. What is important is the way in which it is painted, the skin of the painting and how the forms relate to each other, what their mutual relationship is. Because of her attention to the relationship between the forms and the use of color that is characteristic of her, she often gives her paintings a sensitive and vulnerable atmosphere. This fact is most expressed in her portraits.

Universal portraits that do not refer to reality, to an existing person. These portraits have a minimum of communicative gesture towards the viewer. They maintain, as it were, their own individuality and do not invite action.

Years ago, painting involved a greater physical activity than today. Now she builds up her paintings, layer upon layer, from dark to light. She has shifted the emphasis to traditional painting and investigates the effect of light on color, form and subject. Lately we see a love for the landscape. Not only the French and Italian landscapes, but also the Dutch landscape. The atmosphere of the landscape is more important than painting its reality.

Her paintings provide a tranquil view of reality. The title of the painting refers to the content rather than the representation.

“I paint the quiet things around me.”

The artworks below by Lita van Engelenhoven are available at