The Human Presence

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1948, Bernardien Sternheim has spent her life looking closely at the people around her. Her training began at the Academie voor Kunst en Industrie in Enschede, where she developed the technical foundation that would define her career. While many artists find solace in the quiet of a landscape or the movement of the sea, Sternheim finds her purpose in the presence of others. She seeks out the direct, intense connection that only occurs when sitting with a model, turning the act of observation into a profound dialogue between painter and subject.

Her work is rooted in realism, focusing on the human figure as the central element of her compositions. She does not shy away from the complexities of the human condition, often placing her subjects in situations that feel deeply moving or even confrontational. There is a weight to her figures, a sense of reality that avoids easy comfort. By focusing on the individual, she captures the quiet tensions and the raw truths of being alive.

Technique and Influence

The way Sternheim handles light and shadow reveals a specific lineage in her approach to the canvas. Her figure studies are characterized by a strong contrast between light and dark, a technique that gives her subjects a sculptural, physical presence. This method shows a clear influence from the Dutch painter Pyke Koch, particularly in how she uses shadow to define form and mood.

Her professional path has been marked by several notable exhibitions and participations in the Dutch art scene:

• A solo exhibition at Museum Møhlmann in 2001
• Participation in PAn Amsterdam from 2004 through 2008
• A solo exhibition at Galerie Mokum in early 2009

A Life in Portraiture

For Sternheim, the portrait is more than a likeness; it is a way to explore the essence of a person. Her preference for portraiture over landscapes stems from this desire for intimacy. She uses the canvas to hold a space for the person being painted, allowing their character to emerge through the interplay of light and shadow. This commitment to the human form has remained the steady pulse of her artistic practice for decades.