Artist: Emile van Dalen
Title: It was all a dream
Technique: Acryl op canvas
Size: 120×70 cm
Edition: 1/1, unique
“It Was All a Dream” by Emile van Dalen is a mesmerizing, hand-painted artwork that captures an intimate and ethereal moment. The painting features a woman lying nude in the grass, her legs drawn up towards her torso, evoking a sense of vulnerability and tranquility.
The composition is both sensual and serene, with Van Dalen’s masterful brushstrokes bringing the natural surroundings to life while emphasizing the delicate contours of the subject. The interplay of light, shadow, and earthy tones creates a dreamlike quality, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the painting’s quiet, introspective mood.
This unique piece, the only one of its kind in existence, embodies the artist’s ability to blend raw emotion with poetic beauty, making it a truly exceptional work of art.
Emile van Dalen (1971–2020) was a Dutch artist born in Schoonhoven on May 7, 1971. His work is characterized by a deep sensitivity to color, rhythm, and the passage of time. Through layered compositions and a refined sense of material, Van Dalen sought to capture the invisible — emotions, memories, and fleeting moments translated into form and texture.
Often working with mixed media, he combined structure and spontaneity, creating paintings that seem to breathe between control and chaos. His oeuvre reflects an inner world of reflection and intuition, where silence plays as important a role as movement.
Though his life was cut short, Emile van Dalen left behind a body of work that continues to speak through its quiet intensity and timeless presence — a testament to an artist who sought meaning in the subtle dialogue between matter and emotion.
