Meadowbirds – Taking off

The typical Dutch rural landscape with its meadowbirds is quickly disappearing. In the beginning of the 1900s many bird species became more numerous due to agricultural intensification. But as meadows started to look more and more like grass factories those numbers were, and still are, dropping quickly. Where you could see and hear godwits, lapwings and redshanks it now remains silent and empty. Some species have almost disappeared as breeding birds in the Netherlands, while others try to change their doomed destiny by inhabiting urban areas. Soon the meadowbirds will be part of our rich Dutch cultural history. 

From September 19th to November 29th, 2020 the paintings were exhibited at Het Natuurhistorisch in Rotterdam. The oil paintings were accompanied by stuffed meadowbirds from the museums collection and graphs and information about the drastic decline of meadowbirds in the Netherlands. The focus however lied in our role in the future of these birds. Do we take actions that will help them to recover?

At the opening prof. dr. Theunis Piersma gave an introduction on meadow birds and the importance of arts in telling stories.  

Collaboration with Vogelbescherming Nederland

The sales of the paintings raised 3500 euros for the conservation of the meadowbirds, a project by the Dutch Birdlife partner Vogelbescherming Nederland. 

All original paintings are sold. 

A handsigned limited edition giclee print of the Godwit is available 75 euro, see Art Work. Send me an email via the contact form if interested! 

Virtual Exhibition

The virtual exhibition is visible here.

In the media

This exhibition was featured in the NRC, Vroege Vogels, Bionieuws and Chris Natuurlijk Radio Rijnmond.

During the painting process I was followed by Bever Sport: