Painter

CATHARINA DE RIJKE​

In the work of Dutch artist Catharina de Rijke, the theme of landscape is central, but not as a depiction of real nature. Instead, landscape appears as a poetic space in relation to the human being. The human body can be understood as a landscape, just as the landscape can be seen as a body. This perspective refers to a spiritual understanding of the Earth as a living whole of nature and living beings. This intense intellectual engagement with the theme has left lasting marks, giving rise to several cycles of work that continue to shape her creations to this day.

Work

Biography

CATHARINA DE RIJKE​​
Catharina de Rijke is a Dutch painter (*1957 in Rotterdam) who now lives and works in the Rhineland. She studied textile/design in Delft as well as art history in Paris and has been active since the late 1980s, founding her studio in Cologne in 1989. Her painting is often minimalistic, atmospheric, and characterized by themes such as landscape, water, and quiet contemplation.

Exhibitions (selections)

2025 Verein für Haus und Grund, Cologne
2025 Landeshaus LVR, Cologne
2024 Kunstnacht Leverkusen
2023 Galerie am Klostersee, Lehnin
2023 Galerie Spektrum, Euskirchen
2023 Flores do Cabo Gallery, Portugal
2022 Galerie Tenri, Cologne
2021 Kunstmatrix (online), Morocco – “Het Getij”
2021 Forum für Kunst und Kultur, former Bahnhof Herzogenrath (with Marianne Roetzel)
2020 Zentrum für Kunst und Architektur, Rijksmonument Rietveldhuis, Utrecht (NL)
2019 Kunstverein Leverkusen, Schloss Morsbroich
2019 Schloss Eulenbroich, Rösrath
2019 Galerie Goyert, Cologne
2018 Galeria de ARTE, Lagoa (PT)
2018 Galerie Schloss Tiengen, Waldshut-Tiengen
2017 Galerie Freiraum, Cologne
2016 Galerie Tenri, New York
2015 LesbroussArt Gallery, Brussels
2015 Galerie BBK, Oldenburg
2013 Galerie Tenri, Cologne
2012 Galerie Hexagone, Aachen
2012 LesbroussArt Gallery, Brussels
2012 Kunstverein, Bad Kreuznach
2012 Abtei Brauweiler, Prälatur West
2011 Art-Atrium Gallery, Luxembourg
2011 Kunsthaus Rhenania, Cologne
2009 Galerie Künstlerbunker, Leverkusen
2008 Kurfürstliches Gärtnerhaus, Bonn
2007 Galerie Goyert, Cologne
2006 Petersberg, Bonn (Galerieraum Sachsen)
2006 Kirche Herz Jesu, Leverkusen
2006 / 2004 Galerie Goyert, Cologne
2003 Kunst im Hotel / Commissioned work, room design, Kunsthotel der Artgenossen, Lindlar
2002 “Domblicke-Durchblicke”, Art action Kölner Dom square, Cologne
2002 “Himmel auf Erde”, Galerie Schloss Paffendorf
2001 “Nederland-Waterland”, Galerie in the former Church “Heilige Drei Könige”, Cologne
1999 Galerie Tuchfabrik, Trier
1998 Stadthausgalerie, Erftstadt
1997 Stadtmuseum, Kerpen
1996 “Triebe”, Cologne
1995 “Farbfragmente II”, Stolberg
1993 “Farbfragmente”, Aachen
1989 “Papier”, Delft

Latest Exhibitions

2025 “Schein Paradies” (Kölner Haus & Grund / HUG, Cologne) – Opening on 12.09.2025
2026 Archdiocese of Cologne, Maternushaus (05.05.–07.06.2026)
2026 Gallery Flow Fine Art, Hitdorf am Rhein (19.04.–30.09.2026)

Group Exhibitions (selections)

2025 LuMourelle, Cascais (PT)
2025 Galerie Kam, Hamburg
2024 Internationale Malerei Biennale, Hamburg
2018 A&D Gallery, London
2018 TheRhineArt Galerie, Bonn-Bad Godesberg
2017 Galleri Gamla Staden, Landskrona (SE)
2017 Galleri X, Rungsted (DK)
2016 Art Sindelfingen