RUUD VAN STRATEN
PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS

ORIGINAL OILPAINTINGS

Step into a gallery of expressive, hand-crafted oil paintings—each telling its own story through texture, color, and form. Browse the works below and click any image for more details and close-ups.  
Looking for availability, pricing, or commissions? Feel free to reach out via email—I’d love to hear from you.

Betreed een galerie van expressieve, handgemaakte olieverfschilderijen—elk vertelt een eigen verhaal via textuur, kleur en vorm. Bekijk de werken hieronder en klik op een afbeelding voor meer details en close-ups. Wil je meer informatie over beschikbaarheid, prijzen of opdrachten? Stuur gerust een e-mail—ik hoor graag van je.


The Dancing Faun: Figurative Art with a Mythological and Surreal Twist
What happens when ancient Greek mythological statues are reimagined with a surreal twist? As if recently uncovered during an underwater expedition, the Dancing Faun (1st century CE) emerges as a mesmerizing artifact. This lustful woodland creature, a follower of Dionysos, the god of wine, is depicted in frenzied dance, embodying wild artistic expression. With its chiseled physique caught in rotational movement and surrounded by excited fish, the Faun seems to echo its aquatic rediscovery. Set against a Greek-Persian style mosaic, this reinterpretation fuses history and surrealism into a vivid masterpiece.


Oilpaint and gold leaf on 3D canvas, 90x120 cm. in black frame, 2023

1. Dancing Faun 90x120 cm Oil on canvas
1. Dancing Faun 90x120 cm Oil on canvas
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A Midnight Paradise: Figurative Art with Mythological Elements
A Midnight's Paradise – Oil and Gold Leaf on Canvas This enchanting artwork features a Greek-period torso, inspired by an original discovered bust, illuminated by the ethereal glow of luminous birds of paradise. Their light brings the figure to life amidst a shadowy colourful forest, bathed in golden moonlight. The blend of oil and gold leaf enhances the mystical midnight atmosphere, fusing ancient Greek artistry with surreal elegance.

Oilpaint and goldleaf on 3D canvas, 90x120 cm. in black frame, 2023

2. a Midnight's Paradise 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas with goldleaf detail
2. a Midnight's Paradise 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas with goldleaf detail
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Menelaos and Patroclus: Figurative Art Inspired by Greek Mythology
Menelaos and Patroclus – Oil on Canvas, 120 x 90 cm This stunning oil painting captures the tragic death of Patroclus, betrayed by Menelaos in the chaos of war. The moment is vividly portrayed with a fatal arrow lodged in Patroclus’s chest, symbolizing both his sacrifice and the brutality of conflict. Steeped in a mythical aesthetic, the composition evokes deep sorrow and betrayal, central themes in ancient Greek mythology. Diagonal, dreamlike clouds streak the sky, creating a celestial atmosphere, with pink and gold hues radiating divine luminosity. This ethereal dreamscape highlights the transcendence of mortal suffering, presenting the death of Patroclus as both heroic and heart-wrenching. Bridging the mortal and divine, the artwork immerses the viewer in a timeless narrative inspired by Greek mythology. The bright orange-pink background, echoed in the frame, harmonizes with the purple tones to create a unified, majestic composition. Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts of mythical, narrative-driven art, this piece fuses storytelling with visual splendor.

Oilpaint and goldleaf on 3D canvas, 90x120cm. in painted frame, 2023

3. Menelaos & Patrocles 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas with goldleaf details
3. Menelaos & Patrocles 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas with goldleaf details
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Paradiso: Shifting Horizons on Naxos
Since 1995, I’ve returned to Naxos—a place where freedom once meant sleeping under the stars, where the beach was shared, not segmented. Paradiso began as a tribute to those memories: sun-warmed skin, quiet connection, and the gentle rhythm of waves echoing a sense of belonging.
But the island changes, as all places do. Hotels rise, beach beds multiply, and commerce creeps into the sand. What began with hippies and naturists evolved into a haven for the gay community—until popularity began to suffocate the very freedom it once offered.
Across Europe, locals now protest the loss of space, of silence, of simplicity. On Naxos too, voices rise against the privatization of public shores. My paintings blur—not just from nostalgia, but from the shifting meaning of the beach itself.
Is it memory that fades, or is it me—growing older, watching a new era unfold?
Paradiso doesn’t take a side. It observes, reflects, and asks: What remains when a sanctuary becomes a destination?                   The background of these three paintings continues like an endless horizon when placed side by side.Number four is a work in progress at the moment, maybe even more to come..

Oilpaint on canvas, 90x120cm. in white frame 2021- now

4. Paradiso I 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas.
4. Paradiso I 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas.
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5. Paradiso II 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas
5. Paradiso II 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas
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6. Paradiso III 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas.
6. Paradiso III 90x120 cm. Oil on canvas.
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6D. PARADISO IV A work in progress
6D. PARADISO IV A work in progress



Dark Angel Golden shower
Figurative Art: Angelic Man in a Golden Rain
A free artwork depicting a man adorned with leather straps and an angelic aura under a golden rain. The piece captures the ethereal beauty and strength of the male figure, combining elements of grace and power. The intricate details of the leather straps and the golden rain create a mesmerizing and dynamic composition that draws the viewer in.

Oilpaint and goldleaf on 3D canvas, 60x80 cm. , 2023

7. Dark Angel Golden Shower60 x 80 cm
7. Dark Angel Golden Shower60 x 80 cm



DECAY: Contradictions and Renewal in Figurative Art
DECAY: A story of contradictions, decay, and renewal, of beauty and old age. Four discarded and damaged frames, once showpieces in an authentic brown pub, found new life after being abandoned in a second-hand shop. Inspired by photos of walls covered with posters, this series explores the theme of old and new, decay and beauty.
The refurbished frames retain their age, with visible yet illegible texts painted on a background of torn pamphlets. Like a phoenix from the flames, four beautiful men, impeccable Dandys, emerge, unfazed by time's ravages. The paisley motif on the back of the paintings references the past. Finished with a thick layer of resin, the paintings seal the decay and beauty of the nineteenth-century men against time's ravages.
This series aims to show the ease with which we discard what is damaged, forgetting its past beauty and value. Restore that value, give it new allure, and honor its DECAY.

Oilpaint on board with glossy resin finish, 55x 75 cm. 2019

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Dark Lights: Figurative Art in Oil on Canvas
Dark Lights is a captivating series in oil on canvas that explores different shades of dark combined with bright white to depict various men. This series delves into themes of lust, mystery, passion, and anger using a limited color palette. Each piece in the Dark Lights series showcases the emotional depth and complexity of the male form through the interplay of light and shadow.
Oilpaintings 2017/2018

8. Discobolos
8. Discobolos
9. Dancer
9. Dancer
10. Rain
10. Rain
11. Anger
11. Anger
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0. not available
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Men on Canvas: Figurative Art in Oil
Men on Canvas: Just average men, dressed or naked, depicted in oil on canvas. This series captures the essence of everyday men, showcasing their natural beauty and simplicity through the medium of oil painting. Each piece highlights the unique characteristics and individuality of the male form, whether clothed or nude.
oilpaintings from 2016 till now.

12. Tired Man 50 x70 cm
12. Tired Man 50 x70 cm
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13. Strapped 120x180cm
13. Strapped 120x180cm
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14.
14. Cinquecento 120x180 cm
14. Cinquecento 120x180 cm

 


Hommage to Mum and Dad, oil on canvas 120 x 180 cm.

mum is not for sale
mum is not for sale
Dad also not for sale
Dad also not for sale
 
 
 
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