Royal Award for Modern Painting
one of the oldest art award for up-and-coming young artists living in the Netherlands
His Majesty the King will present the Royal Award for Modern Paiting 2024 at Royal Palace Amsterdam on Thursday 10 October. The jury, led by Mirjam Westen, has nominated 15 promising artists. According to the jury, it is striking that the time-honoured craft is fully alive among the current generation of artists. After awarding three winners, the King will open the exhibition, where the works of both the winners and the other nominees will be on display until 10 November.
This year, 483 artists submitted works. The jury of the Royal Award for Modern Painting 2024 nominated the following artists: Vicente Baeza, Eline Boerma, Faria van Creij-Callender, Sofiia Dubyna, Jesse Fischer, Safae Gounane, Bohyeon Hwang, Daniel Jacobsen, Shivangi Kalra, Ralf Kokke, Dion Rosina, Tiago Santos, Thijs Segers and Marilyn Sonneveld, Tobias Thaens.
Read the press release here (in Dutch)
About the Award
The Royal Award for Modern Painting is one of the oldest art awards in the Netherlands. The Price was established in 1871 by King William III as a Royal Grant for Free Painting. After King William III, Queen Emma, Queen Wilhelmina, Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix developed this incentive award into a tradition of royal attention to painting. King Willem-Alexander has continued this tradition since the year 2013.
The Award has been awarded to leading artists such as: Jan Toorop (1887), Jan Sluijters (1904), Jan Dibbets (1974), Natasja Kensmil (1998), Raquel van Haver (2018), Bobbi Essers (2023). See the list of winners from 2011-2023
Each year three young artists are presented with a Royal Award of € 9,000 tax-free. After the award ceremony the King will open the exhibition with works of the winners and nominees. The list of nominees is carefully compiled by a professional jury through two judging rounds.
The Royal Award for Modern Painting is designed to encourage young painters in their work as artists. Talented artists receive special attention and are encouraged to develop further and increase their visibility.
"Anyone who wants to see which young artists are currently distinguishing themselves in the Netherlands will get a fantastic overview of the state of affairs here,'" - said His Majesty the King in his speech at the presentation of the Prize on October 5, 2023
The Exhibition
Each year, discover the work of up-and-coming young artists at the Royal Palace Amsterdam.
Each year the exhibition opens after the award ceremony of the Royal Award for Modern Painting. Around thirty works of art by the nominated and winning artists are shown.
A selection of artworks, from the winners and nominees, will be exhibited from 12 October to 10 November at the Royal Palace Amsterdam. The exhibition shows what is going on among the current generation of young artists.
These young talents translate their personal beliefs and visions into paintings with a rich diversity of genre, themes and materials. The jury distinguished attention to large and small gestures, to a painterly touch that was refined, then expressively layered, that was sometimes smooth thanks to the use of spray paint or synthetic resin, then possessed a grainy texture through the use of organic raw materials, wood dust or chalk.
The prestigious Prize has provided a stage for promising young artists since 1871. For many artists, winning the Prize is a springboard for their careers.
The Public Award
The exhibiting artists also have a chance to win the audience award. During the visit, cast a vote for one of the exhibited works. The painting with the most votes will be raffled off among visitors who express a preference for this artwork.
Winners of 2024
H.M. the King will announce the winners on Thursday, 10 October.
Jury
The jury of the Royal Award 2024 consists of: Laurie Cluitmans, Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Yasmijn Jarram, Natasja Kensmil, Rezi van Lankveld, Sam Samiee and Mirjam Westen (chairman).
Nominees of 2023
The nominees for the Royal Award of Modern Painting 2023 are:
Vicente Baeza, Eline Boerma, Faria van Creij-Callender, Sofiia Dubyna, Jesse Fischer, Safae Gounane, Bohyeon Hwang, Daniel Jacobsen, Shivangi Kalra, Ralf Kokke, Dion Rosina, Tiago Santos, Thijs Segers en Marilyn Sonneveld, Tobias Thaens.
Open Call 2026
Due to data changes, the OPEN CALL 2025 has already taken place. The Royal Award 2025 will be awarded in January.
June 2025 will open the OPEN CALL for the Royal Award for Modern Painting 2026. Keep an eye on the social media channels of the Royal Palace Amsterdam to stay informed.