The Museum DKM presented selected works by the Dutch-German artist Peter Royen (1923 – 2013). The presentation was a reminder of the work of the selfless artist, who actively supported the further development and promotion of his artist friends. Although his purist works are characterized by the non-colours white and black, they nevertheless radiate the warmth that also shaped his commitment to the promotion of art.

Royen came from Amsterdam to Düsseldorf in 1946 to study with Otto Pankok at the Academy of Fine Arts. He remained connected to the city until his death and played a major role in shaping the art scene of the city and of the country.

The exhibition was supported by numerous loans from private collectors and institutions, which make it possible to give a concentrated insight into the work of the influential painter and graphic artist. Werner Schmalenbach called him a painter of silence. The large-scale works in the spatial staging were supplemented by graphics and small sculptures by the artist.

Foyer

Supporting Black, 1996
oil and wax on canvas
78,5 x 98,5 cm (frame size)
Hubertus Schoeller Foundation, Leopold-Hoesch-Museum & Paper Museum Düren

Fields in a Black Square, 2001
80 x 98 cm
NPR (Estate of Peter Royen)

Room I

Separation, 2006
152 x 181 cm (frame size)
NPR

Horizon, 1978
oil and wax on canvas
86 x 66 cm (frame size)
Private collection (Rademacher)

Structure of the Fields with Yellow, 1995
140 x 140 cm (frame size)
NPR

DT, 1981 – 1982
acrylic and wax on canvas
140 x 170 cm (frame size)
Rira Collection

Large cross in the field, 1992
oil and wax on canvas
180 x 170 cm (frame size)
Rira Collection

untitled, 1974
oil and wax on canvas
120 x 110 cm (frame size)
Rira Collection

Large white field, 2003
77 x 97 cm (frame size)
NPR

Small field, 1998
77 x 97 cm (frame size)
NPR

Fields I, 2003
79 x 98 cm (frame size)
NPR

Birth of the Fields, 1994
79 x 98 cm (frame size)
NPR

Cross in the field, 1984
oil and wax on canvas
150 x 150 cm (frame size)
Rira Collection

Yellow field supports white field, 1995
acrylic and wax on canvas
37 x 43 cm (frame size)
Private collection

Fields I, 1996
acrylic and wax on canvas
37 x 43 cm (frame size)
Private collection

Yellow fields III, 1996
37 x 43 cm (frame size)
acrylic on canvas
Private collection

Red over white, 2008
37 x 43 cm (frame size)
mixed media with dammer, oil, pigment, bleached beeswax and Venetian turpentine on double canvas
Private collection

White fields, 1988
37 x 43 cm (frame size)
oil and wax on canvas
Private collection

Cross in the field I, 1992
152 x 152 cm (frame size)
acrylic and wax on canvas
Rira Collection

Two squares at play, 1994
152 x 152 cm (frame size)
NPR

Square in the field, 1994
152 x 152 cm (frame size)
NPR

Birth of the Triangle, 1994
152 x 152 cm (frame size)
NPR

Display case
5 prints | private collection

Room II

Horizon, 1975
mixed media
162 x 121 cm (frame size)
NPR

Birth of the Fields, 1984
oil and wax on canvas
160 x 130 cm (frame size)
Rira Collection

Squares, 1993
132,5 x 161 cm (frame size)
NPR

Squares, 1990
132 x 91,5 cm (frame size)
NPR

Fields with large yellow field, 1995
140 x 140 cm (frame size)
NPR

Separation of the fields III, 1994
acrylic and wax on canvas
77 x 97 cm (frame size)
Private collection

The Five Squares, 2002
dam pigment, bleached beeswax, Venetian turpentine, acrylic on double canvas
160 x 160 cm (frame size)
Foundation Museum Kunstpalast

Deeply separated cross, 2001
152 x 181 cm (frame size)
NPR

Resting black fields, 1999
acrylic and wax on canvas
150 x 151 cm (frame size)
Rira Collection

Central Black Field, 1995
70 x 98 cm (frame size)
NPR

Square in the Cross, 2000
132 x 160 cm (frame size)
NPR

Square in a cross, 2000
132 x 160 cm (frame size)
NPR

Resting, 2009
97 x 136 cm (frame size)
NPR

Black cross in white square, 1999
97 x 135 cm (frame size)
NPR

Black at rest, 1999
98 x 136 cm (frame size)
NPR

Two Squares, 2001
98 x 136 cm (frame size)
NPR

Fields black and white, 1995
97 x 130 cm (frame size)
NPR