Kees Grootenboer
Kees Grootenboer, a Mexican painter and sculptor of Dutch descent, is an iconic figure in contemporary art in Mexico. Born in Mexico City in 1940, his work reflects a rich combination of cultural influences acquired throughout his life in Mexico, Spain, Venezuela, and the Netherlands. Known for his dreamlike landscapes and floating human figures, Kees merges the vibrant colors of impressionism with a unique abstract style. Based in San Cristóbal de las Casas, his art celebrates the connection between nature, indigenous cultures, and creativity, solidifying his place as a universal and timeless artist.
Paintings on sell:
Title: Refuge Among Ephemeral Colors
Technique: Pastel
Dimensions: 72 x 53 cm (28.3 x 20.8 inches)
Price: $20,000 Mexican pesos. $1,000 USD.
Description:
In this abstract piece, the artist takes us to a hidden refuge among dreamlike mountains and vibrant vegetation. The blurred strokes and free brushwork evoke the style of Van Gogh's post-impressionism, with a touch of modern expressionism. The house, partially hidden in shadows, seems to emerge from a landscape that fluctuates between reality and dream, while the contrasts of warm and cool tones symbolize the balance between the serenity and chaos of nature. A world where color dominates form.
Title: Dance of Ethereal Spirits
Technique: Ink and Watercolor
Dimensions: 59 x 29 cm (23.2 x 11.4 inches)
Price: $25,000 Mexican pesos. $1,200 USD.
Description:
In this work, the artist depicts the connection between the tangible and the intangible through floating human figures that seem to dance in an ether of vibrant colors. The sinuous lines in turquoise and blue tones recall the dynamism of futurism, while the human figures possess an almost sculptural quality, evoking the figurative abstraction of expressionists. The composition explores themes of transition, energy, and the relationship between physical bodies and the invisible forces surrounding them, creating a dialogue between movement and serenity.
Title: Fragments of a Colorful Dream
Technique: Oil
Dimensions: 70 x 61 cm (27.5 x 24 inches)
Price: $32,000 Mexican pesos. $1,500 USD.
Description:
This vibrant and abstract work seems to pay homage to the cubism of Braque and Picasso, fused with the warmth of fauvism. Geometric and undulating forms intertwine in a kaleidoscope of terracotta, green, and blue colors, evoking a sense of constant motion. The contrasts between light and shadow suggest a hidden narrative, as if each fragment represents a memory or emotion encapsulated in time. It is a mental landscape where logic dissolves, leaving room for intuition and imagination.
Title: Cosmic Bonds: A Family Self-Portrait
Technique: Ink and Watercolor
Dimensions: 40 x 28.5 cm (15.7 x 11.2 inches)
Price: $20,000 Mexican pesos. $990 USD.
Description:
In this ethereal painting, the artist represents himself with his wife and son, floating in a dreamlike space that defies the laws of gravity. The human figures, softly outlined and wrapped in vibrant colors, seem to emerge from a cosmic whirlwind of blue and purple tones, evoking a transcendental connection between family love and the infinite universe. The work echoes the symbolism and spirituality of Marc Chagall, suggesting that family bonds transcend the earthly to venture into eternity. A self-portrait that celebrates the essential core of existence: family.
Title: Memories of the Eternal River
Technique: Oil
Dimensions: 60.5 x 39 cm (23.8 x 15.3 inches)
Price: $25,000 Mexican pesos. $1,200 USD.
Description:
This vibrant and emotional landscape captures the essence of a mountainous corner of San Cristóbal, Chiapas, where the artist used to stroll with his family. The expressive strokes and luminous tones evoke the style of post-impressionists like Cézanne, but with a tropical energy that celebrates the flora and contours of the Mexican landscape. The river winds through the mountains, reflecting the light of the sky, while the vibrant colors convey a sense of nostalgia and connection with nature. It is a work that invites the viewer to lose themselves in the memories of a personal paradise.
Title: Fragments of Light Among the Foliage
Technique: Pastels
Dimensions: 30 x 46 cm (11.8 x 18.1 inches)
Price: $20,000 Mexican pesos. $1,000 USD.
Description:
This work captures the ephemeral sensation of light filtering through a dense canopy of moving leaves. Reminiscent of Monet's impressionism but with an almost expressionist intensity, the vibrant strokes of green, yellow, and blue seem to float over a dark background, evoking nature in its most dynamic and mysterious state. The composition suggests a fleeting moment where light and shadow intertwine, creating a visual interplay that invites the viewer to get lost in the details and imagine themselves under the serenity of a forest.
Title: Echoes of Light: A Family Self-Portrait in the Cosmos
Technique: Ink and Watercolor
Dimensions: 40 x 29 cm (15.7 x 11.4 inches)
Price: $22,000 Mexican pesos. $1,100 USD.
Description:
In this work, the artist invites us on an introspective and cosmic journey by depicting his family—his wife, his son, and himself—as human figures floating in an ethereal space. The undulating strokes of light in bluish and golden tones recall the celestial landscapes of William Blake and the spiritual dreams of symbolism. The figures move together, surrounded by an aura of motion and energy, symbolizing the union and eternal journey of the family through the dimensions of time and space. It is a work both intimate and universal.
Title: Echoes of Serenity
Technique: Oil
Dimensions: 72 x 106 cm (28.3 x 41.7 inches)
Price: $35,000 Mexican pesos. $1,700 USD.
Description:
In this painting, the female nude is presented in a contemplative state, surrounded by a vibrant background of warm and undulating colors. The contrast between the serene figure and the dynamic background evokes harmony between inner tranquility and the chaos of the outer world. Inspired by the expressive use of color in fauvism and the intimacy of Modigliani's portraits, the work captures a sense of introspection and connection with nature. Each stroke seems to pulse with life, as if the energy of the surroundings dialogues with the stillness of the human body.
Title: Serenity at Sunset
Technique: Pastels
Dimensions: 53 x 71 cm (20.8 x 27.9 inches)
Price: $20,000 Mexican pesos. $1,000 USD.
Description:
The central figure of this work conveys an introspective, almost melancholic calm, with strokes that evoke the psychological realism of Egon Schiele's portraits. The vivid background colors, in greens and blues, contrast with the sobriety of the character’s face, creating a duality between the dynamism of the environment and the stillness of the moment. The orange shirt seems to serve as a focal point, reflecting the light of the setting sun, perhaps symbolizing the warmth of memories or a connection to the surroundings. It is a piece that invites the viewer to reflect on the power of serenity amid chaos.
Title: Refuge Under Dancing Skies
Technique: Pastels
Dimensions: 74 x 49 cm (29.1 x 19.2 inches)
Price: $22,000 Mexican pesos. $1,100 USD.
Description:
In this work, the artist captures a magical corner of nature, where two huts emerge as warm refuges in a vibrant forest. The intense colors and dynamic brushstrokes evoke the energy of a living landscape, reminiscent of post-impressionism's vitality and Chagall's fantasy. The sky, full of motion and ever-changing tones, seems to dialogue with the earth, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. A white figure near one of the huts adds a mysterious element, as if representing the human essence connecting with this earthly paradise.
Title: Hidden Paradise in the Jungle
Technique: Pastels
Dimensions: 76 x 55 cm (29.9 x 21.6 inches)
Price: $28,000 Mexican pesos. $1,400 USD.
Description:
In this work, the artist takes us to a secluded corner of the tropical jungle, where a small hut is hidden among lush palm trees and vibrant vegetation. The dynamic brushstrokes and saturated colors evoke the spirit of fauvism, while the contrast between the serene sky and the warm-toned ground creates a visually energetic balance. The wooden structure under construction suggests a moment of transformation, as if this paradise is constantly evolving. It is a celebration of natural life and the human connection to it, wrapped in an aura of mystery and serenity.
Title: Indomitable Horizon
Technique: Pastels
Dimensions: 72 x 48 cm
Price: $26,000 Mexican pesos. $1,300 USD.
Description:
This work captures the wild essence of a coastline bathed in a dramatic and vibrant sky. The energetic strokes and color contrasts in the sky, with oranges and blues seemingly clashing, evoke the excitement of a constantly moving landscape. The horizon line meets a serene sea, while the textures of the beach reflect an interaction between calm and chaos. Inspired by Turner's impressionism and the freedom of expressionism, this painting conveys the power and untamed beauty of nature.
Title: The Mount of Living Spirits
Technique: Oil
Dimensions: 39.5 x 60 cm
Price: $22,000 Mexican pesos. $1,100 USD.
Description:
In this vibrant work, an imposing mountain rises as the guardian of a circle of colorful figures that appear to dance around it. The mountain, in serene blue and green tones, contrasts with the dynamic energy of the figures, which shine in warm and vibrant hues. The cloudy sky, with soft brushstrokes, adds a dreamlike element to the scene. Inspired by symbolism and expressionism, this painting suggests a mystical celebration of the union between nature and humanity, where the mountain represents the eternal bond between both worlds.
Pending for good pictures and measurements
Technique: Oil
Price: $22,000 Mexican pesos. $1,100 USD.
Technique: Ink and Watercolor
Price: $22,000 Mexican pesos. $1,100 USD.