Ben Rikken (b. 1951) is a Dutch painter and draftsman who focuses on figurative subjects such as landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and maritime scenes.
After studying at the Minerva Academy in Groningen between 1972 and 1979, he developed a working method in which he often works "in the field"—he believes that a landscape only truly exists when you are there yourself. He captures the interplay of light and color in oil studies, often in series, which he later develops into larger canvases in the studio.
In his subjects, Rikken seeks a synthesis of light, color, and his own brushwork: what interests him in a motif, what is essential, what is incidental? He usually paints quickly, in varying light conditions, to capture delicate moods. His use of color is often warm and expressive—especially in landscapes he has visited several times in Southern Europe, such as France, Italy, and Spain.
Besides landscapes, he long enjoyed still lifes of edibles—fruit, fish, bread, and shells—and shells and interiors are also part of his repertoire. His works are characterized by rhythmic brushstrokes, alternating with softer paint surfaces, with an elegant signature that reveals itself up close in smudges and stains.
Rikken's work is included in various museum and corporate collections in the Netherlands, including the Drents Museum, ING, Gasunie, Unilever, and the Land Registry. He exhibits both in the Netherlands and internationally and taught painting privately for many years.
His art stands for sensitive observation, for capturing fleeting moods, and for the search for harmony in light and form, with a deep respect for the living landscape and the quiet beauty of everyday objects.
