Think these are photographs? Think again. Tjalf Sparnaay is a Dutch painter, specialising in gourmet representations. Sparnaay calls his work Megarealism, part of the contemporary global art movement of hyperrealism, of which Sparnaay has been named one of the most important influencers. Sparnaay takes seemingly trivial objects and inflates them to immense formats to provoke a powerful reaction from viewers. The insane depth of detail has us fixated, wondering where to draw the line between painting and real life, whilst giving importance to everyday normal objects. Sparnaay explains how his paintings are intended to “enable the viewer to experience reality once again, to rediscover the essence of the object that has become so common. I wish to reduce it to the DNA of the universal structure in all its beauty. I call it ‘the beauty of the everyday.” Though Sparnaay’s technique and movement may appear modern, he parallels 17th century artists such as Vermeer through his lucid use of colour and refinement to capture the eye of the viewer. Whilst remaining true to the rich 17th century Dutch tradition of still life, Sparnaay is said to be constantly seeking new images that have not yet been painted to create iconic pieces of artwork.
