Nico Heilijgers (Utrecht, 1964) studied at the Minerva Academy in Groningen, where he was taught by renowned artists such as Matthijs Röling and Diederik Kraaijpoel. During his training, mastery of technique was central, which has had a lasting influence on his work. Heilijgers' paintings stand out for their aesthetics, harmony and atmosphere, in which the intangible and unnameable - a poetic quality - elevates the image above the everyday.
His work is strongly rooted in the tradition of classical painting. He sometimes incorporates subtle references to great masters from art history, which gives his paintings an extra layer of meaning. In his still lifes we see traditional elements such as fresh lemons, voluptuous pomegranates and apothecary bottles. These objects are not only depicted as individual objects, but also as areas of colour or accents that determine the composition. Abstract elements such as form, colour, rhythm and material ultimately play the leading role in his work.
In recent years, Heilijgers' compositions have become more stylized, with fewer elements and larger empty spaces that create a sense of tension. His use of color is brighter and the paint is applied more loosely and quickly, creating an energetic dynamic.
Recently, the artist has also focused on landscapes and cityscapes, which roughly fall into two categories: city and street scenes, often populated by people and animals, and natural landscapes, ruins and archaeological sites. In the latter category, the emphasis is on abstract compositions and subtle lighting, giving the landscape an almost still-life-like quality. The influence of the Impressionists is clearly noticeable, especially in his attention to light and the way in which color captures and reflects light. For Heilijgers, they represent the essence of painting.
