Peter Engels vs Bob Mendes, when artists meet
After Thriller author Bob Mendes writes about the paintings of Peter Engels, the two artists meet in a friendly golf challenge. But the stakes are high...
Madonna - 200 x 100 x 3,5 cm
Grace Kelly - 200 x 100 x 3,5 cm
Prince Albert II of Monaco (son of Grace Kelly) bought the painting at a Sotheby's auction. Peter Engels met Prince Albert at the auction. In the background of the painting we vaguely see the Monaco marina anno 1955. Peter Engels based on images of Hitchcock's thriller 'To Catch a Thief' to paint the stunning view over the Monaco bay by night.
Barack Obama - 200 x 100 x 4,5 cm
Artist Peter Engels finished the presidential portrait of Barack Obama on the inauguration day. Just like his other large Vintage Portraits, Peter Engels always paints with the palette knife in his typical sepia colors. That is his signature. Also the flying Stars and Stripes had to be converted into these colors by the artist. But one sees the red and the blue. The painting is not just black and white. Newpapers wrote that Peter Engels not only paints the fysical features of the president, he paints the soul.
Jan Decleir – 100 x 100 x 4,5 cm – PRIVATE COLLECTION
Jan Decleir is one of Europe’s best actors seen in films like Loft and The Alzheimer Case. Peter Engels painted his character head, worn and full of experience.
Catherine Zeta-Jones – 90 x 90 x 4,5 cm
Peter Engels went to Mallorca to paint the portrait of Catherine Zeta-Jones. She and her husband Michael Douglas have a holiday home near Valldemossa in the west of the island.
Karl Lagerfeld – 200 x 100 x 4,5 cm
One evening Peter Engels ran into Karl Lagerfeld just outside The Mercer Hotel, Soho, New York. This portrait is the result of the brief encounter with one of the most remarkable men in art today.
Toots Thielemans - 190 x 100 x 4,5 cm
This portrait has been made especially for a series of year overviews by America journalist Greet De Keyser. The musical interludes by Fidelio String quartet and pianist Marc Matthys were all about American music and Mr. Harmonica, Toots Thielemans.
Nelson Mandela - 200 x 100 x 4,5 cm
This portrait was displayed on the biggest billboard of the world on Times Square, New York, when Nelson Mandela turned 90. The international press reported the event. Peter Engels painted his heart and soul. With the palette knife of course.
Che Guevara - 200 x 100 x 4,5 cm - PRIVATE COLLECTION
In the sixties and seventies Che Guevara was the face of resistance, guerilla and freedom. Even after his death 8 October 1967. When Peter Engels visited Cuba he was struck by the presence and populatity of Che Guevara. After all these years Che is still the number one hero in Cuba. Peter Engels painted this portrait with the knife. He wanted to show the strength and the character of Che Guevara. It is an image we all know, brought in a new and original way. This portrait gives the typical Peter Engels touch to a classic image. A worthy Vintage Portrait.
Marilyn Monroe - 200 x 100 x 4,5 cm
Marilyn Monroe has been portrayed by Peter Engels several times. This 'Vintage Portrait' is painted with the knife. 'Happy birthday, Mr. President.'
John F. Kennedy - 200 x 100 x 4,5 cm - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Already several times Peter Engels painted John F. Kennedy's portrait. But this one is certainly the largest Peter Engels ever created: 2 by 1 metre. It is painted solely with the knife, rough and 3-dinsional. It is the one president that said: 'We need men who can dream.
Hopkins and Custot - 220 x 90 x 4,5 cm - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Waring Hopkins and Stéphane Custot own the Hopkins-Custot art gallery on a side road of the Champs Elysees in Paris. They are considered to be in the top 10 of art dealers of the world. The world's finest painters like Appel, Degas, Miro, Magritte, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro,... are traded through their gallery. Peter Engels is proud that he was given the opportunity to paint their portraits. It is an honour to see his triptic hanging in the Hopkins-Custot Gallery in Paris, among the greatest painters of all times.
Luciano Pavarotti - 100 x 100 x 4,5 cm
Peter Engels tried to contact Mr. Pavarotti. That is, he sent him (or his agent) an email. Peter Engels left for Italy without any response to his mail. But he made the portrait. He painted it (with the knife only) while he had idyllic views on the Umbrian landscapes. Peter Engels said: 'Together with Pavarotti I sang his arias while I was painting. Luckyly I am a much better painter than a singer.' On September 6, Luciano Pavarotti, the greatest tenor of all times, passed away. This was the last portrait painted, keeping him alive forever.
Gert-Jan Van Leeuwen - 100 x 100 x 4,5 cm - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Businessman and hockey coach Gert-Jan van Leeuwen has beautiful caracteristic lines and kind eyes. Mark the light on the right and the texture in the background. Since Mr. van Leeuwen received this portrait as a gift from his Hockey club, Peter Engels added the logo that states: 'In hoc signo vinces' (in this sign you shall conquer).
Dalai Lama - 80 x 60 x 4,5 cm
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. When he paid a visit to Europe he was not given the stately welcome he deserved. He is still fighting his peaceful war for the independence of Tibet from the Chinese occupation.
Toots Thielemans - 70 x 70 x 4,5 cm
Peter Engels attended several concerts of Toots Thielemans. He is such a kind man and a genious jazz musician. Mr. Harmonica became 85 last April. This painting is a tribute to the warm and generous person behind the humble musician. It is not the first time that Peter Engels portrayed Toots Thielemans.
The Beatles - 4 paintings, each 50 x 50 x 4,5 cm
The Beatles: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Georges Harrison
Elvis Presley - 120 x 100 x 8 cm - PRIVATE COLLECTION
The young Elvis Presley with his typical little smile. Look at the light coming from the rear, the rough knife strokes in the background and on his shirt. Look at the twinkling
in his eyes. Ladies and gentlemen, the King of Rock & Roll, Mr. Elvis Presley.
Marlon Brando - 90 x 90 x 4,5 cm
The Marlon Brando painting is not only a 'Vintage Portrait', it belongs to the 'Gold Collection' as well. The ultra thin sheets of gold leaf are hard to apply, but the effect is stunning. This portrait is painted with the knife: rough and 3-dimensional. Unmistakingly The Godfather! Unmistakingly Peter Engels.
Jennifer Lopez - 90 x 90 x 4,5 cm - PRIVATE COLLECTION
In this Jennifer Lopez portrait the soft light comes from below. Peter Engels painted it with the kife, which he likes the most. It is not the easiest way to paint a good portrait, but it certainly is the most artistic. It also shows the pure quality.
Julia Roberts - 110 x 110 x 4,5 cm
Peter Engels has painted Julia Roberts because of her spontaneous look and her legendary part in the film 'Erin Brocovich'. The hair is painted with the knife, fast and 3-dimensional.
Ernest Hemingway - 80 x 80 x 4,5 cm
A tribute to the fisherman, the hunter, the globe trotter... But most of all to the writer, the poet, the philosopher. Peter Engels visited Hemingway House in Key West, Florida and the hacienda in Havanna, Cuba. The whole Ernest Hemingway is concentrated in this one portrait.
Brigitte Bardot - 100 x 100 x 8 cm.
This painting is more than a portrait of a 60's beauty icon. It is a tribute to a remarkable woman with a healthy vision onto the world. She still lives low key in Saint-Tropez.
Roger Moore - 100 x 100 x 4,5 cm
The Roger Moore portrait is one of Peter Engels' favourites. He loves sir Roger Moore as an actor and as an ambassador for UNICEF. By coincidence Peter Engels has encountered him walking on a beach in Denmark where Moore has a summer house. There was never spoken more than a friendly HELLO. For Peter Engels this was a meaningful moment. 14 November '07 Roger Moore became 80
Ursula Andress - 100 x 120 x 8 cm
1962, James Bond's Dr. No: Ursula Andress, attractive Swiss girl, steps out of the ocean, all wet, conch shells in her hands. Peter Engels captured her somewhat troubled look, when Sean Connery surprises her. This is not a typical 'Vintage Portrait' because Peter Engels framed more than a close up
of the head. It is by far the most appealing moment in film history.