EERSEL.- Gallery Persoon and the Oogenlust Concept Store in the south of the Netherlands present a solo exhibition by Dutch photographic artist Hans Withoos from 20 August until 18 October 2025. The colourful exhibition 'The Joy of Life' features 75 magical realistic artworks, including his latest creations. The gallery and store are both located at the inspiring Domain Oogenlust in Eersel, amid the Brabant countryside.

Hans Withoos is a born romanticist and a passionate storyteller, deeply fascinated by beauty in all its aspects. Inclusivity plays a prominent role. His photographic paintings are multi-layered, carefully staged, and reflect alienating aesthetics. The visual artist creates unique dream worlds of abundance and artificiality, with a good dose of hope and positivity.

For the 'Withoos meets Withoos' series, the photographer combines classic still lifes and townscapes of his distant ancestor and 17th-century painter Mathias Withoos with contemporary, surrealist images. By adding models, flowers, butterflies and birds, he brings paintings to life. Past and present are intriguingly interwoven into new works in which two artists meet.

On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Oogenlust, a special experience space will also be created during the exhibition. From 11 September until 5 October, the award-winning short film 'The World of Withoos', 45 additional photographic works, original set pieces, fabrics and clothing designed by Hans Withoos will be on display here. Modern ballet company Introdans performs at the festive opening, and Withoos launches a new book.

Hans Withoos (Son en Breugel, 1962) studied textile design and photography at the Academy of Visual Arts in Tilburg. Since 1990, he lives and works in Rotterdam. The artist has been photographing for over 35 years and exhibits internationally. Besides major exhibitions in the Westfries Museum in Hoorn (2018), Museum Flehite in Amersfoort (2021-2022) and Stadhuismuseum Zierikzee (2025), his autonomous work has also been presented at leading art fairs such as KunstRAI, PAN Amsterdam, Scope Miami, and VOLTA Basel.