Debora Makkus

Debora Makkus is a self-taught Dutch artist known for vibrant, realistic paintings, especially contemporary still lifes and portraits. Working from her studio in Zoetermeer, she creates compositions inspired by objects from the past, including ceramics from China, Japan and Delft. Their craftsmanship, signs of use and unknown histories inform her work; she also sometimes invents objects through imaginative reinterpretation.

Makkus has developed a distinctive painting technique, building each work with around 40 to 50 thin layers of semi-transparent paint. This approach creates luminous colour effects that shift with changing light. Her compositions often use unconventional framing, contrast and carefully observed details.

Her paintings have featured in around 80 exhibitions, including more than 45 museum exhibitions in the Netherlands and internationally. Venues include Japanmuseum SieboldHuis, Museum Gouda, Museum Møhlmann and MEAM in Barcelona. She received the public prize at Salon 2019 at Museum Gouda and has also received awards in Taipei and Bologna. The artist’s website presents available and recent paintings, exhibition information, open-studio events and contact details.