Jos Kivits is a painter of magnificent Neo-Classical Romantic landscapes and sumptuous still life's in the manner of sixteenth and seventeenth century Dutch and Flemish masters. Born in Eindhoven the Netherlands, September 1945, Jos ( Christened, Jozef, Wilhelmus, Henrikus, Cornelis. ) A particular technique he admired - originally developed by the Van Eyck brothers in the 15th century - involved the application of successive oil glaze between layers of paint giving incredible depth to the finished work. An arduous, not to mention physically demanding technique, Jos has used this painting style to absolute perfection in many of his still-life compositions. During this time consuming process, the Artist completely repaints a scene four, five or sometimes even six times which understandably makes Jos’s annual output of detailed still-life very limited to only a few important paintings and a number of studies. In addition, his fascination with history and antiques led him to hunt down and acquire numerous authentic pieces to use as props which those with a serious eye will identify in the subtle detail of his works; from the design pattern of a Persian underlay rug to the origin of a pewter decanter, his works are a virtual museum; and unlike many artists in the modern as well historical art world, all his compositions are created using hand to eye - without the use of mechanical aids or optics and at times coming only from his mind's imagination.

Having shown an early interest in the subject, he took serious lessons at the age of 10 and completed his first oil painting at age 12. A student at the Dutch “Kunstnijverheid” school in Eindhoven in the 1960’s Jos continued his in depth studies throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s under the direct personal one to one tutelage of renowned Dutch artist Cornelis Le-Mair. This association led to Jos receiving the highly coveted diploma of “Master Artist in Still Life” which LeMair received from the Academy of Fine Arts , Antwerp, Belgium.Yet it was already during his formative years, by his own initiative, that Jos delved into the research of the Dutch Old Masters.

A particular technique he admired - originally developed by the Van Eyck brothers in the 15th century - involved the application of successive oil glaze between layers of paint giving incredible depth to the finished work. An arduous, not to mention physically demanding technique, Jos has used this painting style to absolute perfection in many of his still-life compositions.

A lifetime of training, study, experience and the creation of exquisite masterpieces has earned Jos Kivits an international reputation. His works can be found hanging in public and private collections in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, North and South America, the United Kingdom, several European Countries and also South Africa.

Jos and his family relocated from New Zealand to Australia in 1986 moving first to Sydney, where his established a reputable name, before settling on Tamborine Mountain in Queensland in 2004 where he now enjoys a much quieter life in semi-retirement plotting around his small farm, tending to his vineyard and taking in the inspiration found right outside his window.