Jacques Tange

From a young age, Jacques Tange knew he wanted to become an artist. He studied briefly at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam but did not complete the program. He then enrolled in and completed a program at the Vrije Academie in The Hague.

Since the late 1980s, he has drawn inspiration primarily from medieval book illumination. Tange is particularly drawn to the vivid colors and the use of perspective, as well as the “naive” way in which the stories are told. Just as in these stories, Jacques Tange likes to mislead his audience. His images often have deeper meanings that are not immediately apparent and frequently include a tongue-in-cheek nod that puts things into perspective. His works often carry psychological weight and serve as a reflection of our society.

Recurring themes in Jacques Tange’s work include the relationships between men and women, care for Mother Earth, and care for one another. His inspiration comes from life and love in the broadest sense of the word. Jacques Tange’s style is characterized by a vivid use of color, which serves to sketch out a unique world. Using simple means and an almost naive painting style, the artist creates a recognizable image.

Pastel drawings and oil paintings make up the bulk of his body of work. In addition, he creates silkscreen prints—often involving more than 25 printing passes—in very limited editions. He also creates pottery, bags, and furniture, and publishes poems accompanied by his own illustrations.

Jacques Tange’s work can be found in leading galleries and collections, and he has been exhibiting regularly for decades both in the Netherlands and abroad. Since the early 1990s, his artworks have found their way into private and public collections. Jacques Tange was named “Most Promising Artist” in 2003 and “Artist of the Year” in 2005.