The title of this painting 'Labyrinth' refers to the Greek word laburinthos, which meant 'maze', or 'complicated matter'. In the painting Bert himself is in the maze (below the middle). He is looking for a way out, but can it be found?
The painting was inspired by a visit to the Depot of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam in December 2021. The Depot Building has a height of 39.5 meters and is therefore just as high as the museum tower of the adjacent museum.
Not only is the outside of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen spectacular with its reflective facade, but the inside is also very special. The atrium is located in the center of the depot which extends from the ground floor to the roof of the building. The space is criss-crossed by zigzag stairs à la Giovanni Piranesi and there are two glass elevator shafts on one side and a large transparent art elevator on the other.
This central hall was a wonderful source of inspiration for Berts painting. With the interplay of lines, use of color and incidence of light he wants to continue to hold the viewer in this labyrinth.
Bert Hermans was born in 1947 in The Netherlands. His work consists mainly of oil paintings, with his major theme being industrial and cultural heritage. Hermans has followed several courses in acrylic, water media and oil painting, starting in 1985 at the Dutch Art School SKVR in Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The last decade his work mainly is concentrated on oil paintings.
Hermans has had exhibitions in eight countries in Europe, in the USA, China and Japan. He won several art prices. His works have been published in many art books and his artwork has been published and sold worldwide.
