Exhibition Royal Award for Modern Painting 2025

On 31 January, H.M. the King awarded the Royal Award for Modern Painting and opened the exhibition.

The work of the winners and nominees will be exhibited until 30 March during the exhibition Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst 2025, at the Royal Palace Amsterdam.

The nominees for the Royal Award of Modern Painting 2025 are: Taqwa Ali, Akiboji, Gegee Ayurzana, Eniwaye Oluwaseyi, Eddy Eustache, Jesse Fischer, Lieve Hakkers, Frederique Jonker, Shani Leseman, Samuel Mackiewicz, Jochem Mestriner, Josse Pyl, Pedram Sazesh, Thijs Segers en Marilyn Sonneveld.

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 1 February through to 30 March 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. From abstract to realistic, socially engaged to personal, this selection reflects the rich diversity of the medium of painting.

The prestigious Award has provided a stage for promising young artists since 1871. For many artists, winning the Award is a springboard for their careers.

Nominees of 2025

The nominees for the Royal Award of Modern Painting 2025 are: Taqwa Ali, Akiboji, Gegee Ayurzana, Eniwaye Oluwaseyi, Eddy Eustache, Jesse Fischer, Lieve Hakkers, Frederique Jonker, Shani Leseman, Samuel Mackiewicz, Jochem Mestriner, Josse Pyl, Pedram Sazesh, Thijs Segers en Marilyn Sonneveld.

Jury 2025

According to the jury, this edition reflects a striking cultural diversity among the entries, with many artists showing a preference for figuration and forms of realism. The jury consists of: Mounira Al Solh, Laurie Cluitmans, Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Yasmijn Jarram, Natasja Kensmil, Rezi van Lankveld, Mirjam Westen (chair).

Download the jury report here.

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.

Open Call 2026

The OPEN CALL for the Royal Award for Modern Painting 2026 will open in June 2025. To be informed, keep an eye on the social media channels of the Royal Palace Amsterdam.

Date change

From this edition onwards, the Award will be presented annually at the end of January. This date change offers the opportunity to present the exhibition for a longer period at the Royal Palace Amsterdam. This will give the artists and their work a stage for longer.