Blue Orphan I - IV. 2025

Four paintings made in the characteristic oil-paint-like style of James Klinge for the Natuurmuseum Fryslân (Nature museum). These painted blue children are based on the interesting history of the building. The paintings have been made during the Oude Markten Street Art Takeover organized by Writer's Block Murals.

James Klinge: "The building was originally the ‘Nieuwe Stadsweeshuis’ (New City Orphanage) until 1954. Researching I learned that the 300 orphans housed here were known throughout Leeuwarden as "The Blue Orphans" based upon the clothes they wore and it also represented the colour of the coat of arms of the city. Given the portraits were to be installed within bricked-up windows, I found inspiration from Rembrandt's 1645 painting "Girl at a Window".

Over four days I was able to build the images up with spray paint and palette knives to create my expressive marks for these portraits. The lower section of the painted panel is sanded to show the wood grain and to act as a window sill and to reference the children of the orphanage working in the carpentry workshop."

Read the complete story and see behind the scenes: https://writersblockmurals.com/wall/james-klinge-lwd/