Come Closer was made for the art project MIRRORS of TIME in castle d'Aspremont-Lynden. It follows the central panel of Jan van Eyck's Mystic Lamb triptych in dimensions and structure. By using a technique that predates Van Eyck's work (a burnished Medieval water gilding) the original work becomes, in a metaphorical way, encircled in time.
Come Closer, 2020, 98 x 172 cm, goldleaf on linden panel
When you get closer, the skyline of the Medieval painting appears.
Come Closer and the other works shown in this project interact with the historic walls of the castle. Together they resemble the subtle surfaces of Medieval polychromed sculptures and altarpieces.
Timelines II, 2020, 88 x 116 cm (including oak frame), gold leaf on oak, 17th century pine, linden panel and distemper
"I create portraits of trees instead of people."
These portraits explore various characteristics of one particular tree: the tree's
structure, the variations of light through its leaves and the colours of its bark.
Portrait of a maple tree (detail), 2019, 93 x 72 cm, gold leaf on linden panel, private collection the Netherlands
Portrait of a maple tree (detail), 2019, 93 x 72 cm, pigments in egg tempera and graphite on linden panel, private collection the Netherlands
Portrait of a maple tree, 2019, 93 x 72 cm, pigments in egg tempera and graphite on linden panel, private collection the Netherlands
Portrait of a maple tree, 2019, 93 x 72 cm, gold leaf and pigments in egg tempera and graphite on oak panels
Charlotte masters six centuries of Western European painting materials and techniques and has always been focussed on the physical side of art and how it communicates. Materials have their own specific poetry, which can be a strong tool to connect with the beholder. The reflection of gold and its glow transcend the two-dimensional plane. One has to be physically present to fully experience a work.
Scenery I (single part of diptych), 2019, 26 x 39 cm, gold leaf on oak panel, private collection Germany
Scenery I (single part of diptych), 2019, 26 x 39 cm, pigments in egg tempera and graphite on canvas, private collection Germany
Monochrome, 2017, 35,5 x 28,5 cm, caput mortem bound in egg tempera on oak panel, private collection the Netherlands
Homage to Agnes Martin, 2020, 30 x 23 cm, pigments in egg tempera, goldleaf and graphite on linden panel, private collection Belgium
“My materials bring their own story. I do not only connect to the past by using historic painting techniques, but also I often work with historic materials such as 17th century wood and writing paper. I create 'relics of time' that connect with the people that handled these materials centuries ago.”
Resonance, 2019, 38 x 43 cm, 17th century oak panel from choir bench, distemper, sand and gold leaf, private collection the Netherlands
Timelines, 2018, 62 x 62 cm (including frame), 17th century pine and gold leaf on oak wood, private collection the Netherlands
Brassicaceae, 2017, 67 x 30 cm, gold leaf and pigments in egg tempera on historic paper, private collection USA
Time and beyond, 2019, 40 x 54 cm (including frame), 17th century pine, oak, PCB, pigments in egg tempera and gold leaf
