Along the river

Maastricht (Mestreech) is the capital of the Dutch province of Limburg and has 120,837 inhabitants (Jan. 31, 2022, source: CBS). This makes it the largest municipality in the province of Limburg.

Maastricht originated at a ford in the Meuse River, from which it got its name (Maastricht = Mosa Trajectum = passage through the Meuse). Maastricht has been inhabited continuously for two thousand years. The city has a long and eventful history, to which the numerous historic buildings and art treasures in churches and museums testify. Internationally, the city gained great fame through the Maastricht Treaty (1992), which created the European Union in its present form and paved the way for the introduction of the euro as the European currency.

The city is often seen as "foreign" in the rest of the Netherlands, mainly because of its peripheral location close to Belgium and Germany, but also because of its atypical landscape, Maasland house construction, different history, complicated language situation, dominance of Catholicism (formerly more so than now), strong emphasis on community life (brass bands, carnival, processions) and alleged Burgundian lifestyle.

I made this work during a rainy weekend. Glum but stately colors in browns, greens and beiges. A beautiful moody work showing the Saint Servatius Bridge and the houses on the right bank, in Wyck.

Created by Nop Briex.

This artwork is offered by Nop Briex

Contemporary images and even those from the past inspire me to recycle them for re-actionary contemporary impressionist art. My drawings and paintings are sketch impressions in a loose and free style, the paintings in a colorful palette. I also produce collages and digital artworks or find new inspirations and compositions through paint strokes from existing works. I work fast, from emotion, averse to perfection, careful not to lapse into details and endless fiddling.

Compositions in an almost unfinished state, works that are part of the contemporary impressionist incentive. Evolving towards a more questioning abstract essential contemporary expressive impressionism.

With the internet we are overloaded with thousands of images a day, wonderful. But does original art on the wall still have a future? Yes, you can touch them, feel them, smell them. Paintings and drawings that move and stimulate you, that give you attention and immerse you every day in a bath of total relaxation and pleasure. People say that I am one of the most appreciated and renowned post-war art painters from South Limburg. I sell my original works all over the world. I very much appreciate the cooperation with Werk aan de Muur / Oh my Prints because my originals are now also available for everyone through excellent, high quality re-productions.

Learn more about Nop Briex?

• All artworks by Nop Briex