The Gift Guide
Pieces that become part of someone’s everyday life
As the year draws to a close, many people start looking for a gift that feels personal, something that carries meaning and will be part of someone’s life for years. Art has a way of doing that. A painting or photograph doesn’t disappear after a season; it becomes part of a room, a routine, a moment in the day. It’s a gift that stays.
To make the search a little easier, we’ve gathered a selection of smaller works from our programme, pieces with presence, character and a clear story behind them. All available in time for the holidays.
Below, you’ll find a few ideas from different artists, each with its own tone and material language.
For lovers of colour
Karen van de Vliet’s Poppie series (€600)
Karen’s playful Poppie paintings carry the warmth of their origin: a handmade doll she once created for her son. The works hold that same sense of softness and affection, built up in sculptural layers of acrylic mediums, sand and other textural materials. Each piece settles into rounded, tactile forms that extend beyond the edges of the canvas.
They are bright, expressive and full of life, a gift for someone who enjoys colour, materiality and a touch of the unexpected.
For those who prefer calm and clarity
Small paintings by Donald Schenkel (€600)
Donald Schenkel’s smaller works offer a minimal, steady presence. Painted in thin layers, the gradients remain soft and understated. These pieces work beautifully in intimate spaces: above a desk, in a hallway or on a quieter wall.
Because they respond subtly to daylight, they shift gently throughout the day without overtaking the room. They’re a thoughtful introduction to his wider practice, a refined, timeless gift.
Works that feel at home in many different spaces
Miniatures by Jan Theun van Rees ( €400)
Jan Theun van Rees works within photography, but always through the lens of constructed space. Rather than documenting reality, he builds it. Temporary interiors, painted surfaces and shaped light become the foundation of images that sit somewhere between architecture and imagination.
His miniature works capture this world on a smaller scale, yet with the same precision and atmosphere as the larger pieces. They’re ideal for photography lovers, or anyone who appreciates images that play with perception and depth.
For people who appreciate change
Small paintings from Lisette Schumacher’s Dawn series (€1,000)
Lisette Schumacher’s Dawn series focuses on the shifting light between night and morning. These smaller works hold that transition in translucent layers and precise colour fields. Depending on the time of day, the surface reflects and absorbs light differently, giving the painting a presence that never quite repeats itself.
It’s a beautiful gift for someone who enjoys subtlety, atmosphere and works that grow with the room.
For the storyteller
Quinda Verheul’s Morning and Malachite (€250)
Quinda’s smaller pieces connect to geological history, transformation and the deeper narratives of our planet. They carry a tactile quality and a strong link to material origins — ideal for those who like their art with a story, something to share and talk about.
For people who look for atmosphere
Limited editions by Sophie de Vos (€850)
Sophie de Vos’ framed photographs bring together presence and mystery. Working with themes of transience, emotion and the passing of time, she creates images that stay with you long after you’ve seen them.
Her works balance what is revealed with what remains out of view, set against a deep, dark backdrop that opens up a space for reflection. With their refined framing and strong visual atmosphere, these pieces make a meaningful, lasting gift for anyone drawn to photography and introspective imagery.
If you’d like guidance in choosing a piece, or if you’re searching for something specific, you’re welcome to get in touch.
Root Gallery represents a carefully selected group of emerging and mid-career contemporary artists, and we’re happy to help you find a work that fits your home or collection. All small works are shipped free of charge within the Netherlands and Belgium.