Atelier Jaap van Ek, Leiden

Jaap van Ek was born and raised (1947) in Leiden. Since 2000 he spends all his time painting and developed his technique rapidly. Most of Jaap van Ek paintings represent male faces and bodies. Jaap also shows the vulnerability of women and LGBT community members. He uses bright, warm colors to express himself. His work is influenced by old masters such as Jaap Caravaggio and Michelangelo. Contemporary influences are driven from photographers, such as Hans van Manen and Erwin Olaf. He is also inspired by the poems of Gerard Reve and Kavavis.