Marc Rieu has been appointed Ambassador of Art
 “Kunst van het K ij ken”. 
Art is in the heart and soul of Marc and he is a practicing artist. 

Marc’s work will appear in the upcoming exhibition at the B32; “Lentekriebels”.  Marc’s passion runs toward enchanting landscapes, romantic period and the love of life.  “Enjoy what you see!” is the credo of this visual talent from a very musical family in Maastricht.

The new Ambassador of this project lives near the office of his parents at the bottom of St. Pierre along the banks of the Meuse.  Currently Marc is completing his studies in art history at the University of Nijmegen.  His graduation thesis focuses on the influence of Dutch landscape masters in the Norwegian father of landscape painters: Johan Christian Dahl Claussen.  The building of Dutch Masters, amoung others in terms of light and air, is clearly present in the work of JC Dahl who Via a detour traveled aspects of Norway to the Netherlands back to Norway.  For his research marc also traveled to Scandinavia to the “Enchanting” landscapes and fjords of Norway, to behold them with his own eyes.

Another Grandmaster Marc detected Dutch influence on is the German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich.  During Dahl’s stay in Dresden, he and Friedrich were roommates and friends.  “Der Wanderer uber dem Nebel More”  (Friedrich, 1817-1818) is Marc favorite work.  Romanticism is pur sang present, as we see a man who surveys  the awesome rock landscape that surrounds him.  Even in kindergarten Marc already knew of Friedrich through an album sleeve of a Beethoven, that his parent owned.

It becomes clear that harmony is a magic word for the family of Rieu.  While father Andre travels around the world, Marc’s time is unending and harmonious through the medium of canvas and brush.  The Romantic works inspire Marc’s landscapes with deep colors and mystical atmosphere.  His “suggestive illusionism” should be experienced, as should all art.  Good art touches you, regardless of the maker.  Marc’s art of looking is: “Turn off your mind and look with your heart” and “Enjoy what you see!”  This is the concern of Marc’s as an artist and the objective of the project.

The question from Mayor Gerd Leers to be ambassador to the Art of Looking was a great honor.  Proud and full of positive energy, Marc hopes to serve the next two years as a fine contribution as ambassador.  And as an artist, of course.