Paul Jansen

Biography

Paul Jansen, Contemporary Artist

Paul Jansen was born in 1960 in Groningen, The Netherlands and studied at the renowned Minerva Academy in his hometown. Initially beginning his artistic career as a photographer, the influence of photography remains evident in his paintings today, particularly in the unconventional compositions and extreme framing of his works. This is especially notable in his distinctive cow portraits, which have become a central theme in Jansen’s art.

For many years, the cow has been one of Jansen’s primary sources of inspiration. He is fascinated by the earthy, curious nature of these animals and captivated by their unique, often absurd forms and unpretentious presence. Unlike traditional livestock painters of past centuries, who often placed cattle in the background to enhance the landscape, Jansen brings the cow to the forefront. In these wildlife paintings, the landscape fades into insignificance or vanishes entirely, allowing the cow to take centre stage. The result is an intimate and engaging portrayal where the cow’s presence dominates, often filling the frame so completely that the animal almost seems to reach out beyond it. Some of his portraits even verge on the abstract, as Jansen uses colour and flattened forms to emphasize the cow’s essence.

Jansen paints the cow as an individual with its own soul and distinct personality. His use of dark tones in the animal’s coat and the backgrounds contrasts strikingly with details such as the light pink of a cow’s nose, creating a powerful visual dynamic. His work masterfully balances naturalism with abstraction, employing colours and forms to express the core identity of the cow. The textured, tactile quality of his paintings further enhances this, as Jansen works with oil paint on board, building up multiple layers to achieve rich, deep tones. His cows, often depicted in a variety of black and white hues, feature the animal’s expressive eyes and wet nose as the central focal points.

Paul Jansen's artworks for sale

Paul Jansen’s work is represented in several prominent figurative galleries across the Netherlands, and his paintings are part of numerous private and corporate collections worldwide.

Discover the captivating realism wildlife paintings by Paul Jansen, thoughtfully curated at Signet Contemporary Art. Available for sale both in our London gallery and online, these exceptional works showcase Paul Jansen's extraordinary talent and unique artistic vision.