Tonny Holsbergen, born on 25th April 1952, is a well known Dutch painter and portrait artist who has held many successful exhibitions both internationally and in Oman.
She first visited Oman in 2001 camping in the desert near the Wahiba Sands. When talking of those times she says "I became obsessed with Oman and its people, particularly with the Bedouin, their hospitality and way of life. I lay listening to the sounds of the desert around me and I just wanted to get up and start drawing." She describes these times as the best of her life and states "I will never forget the amazing nights under skies of twinkling stars and sounds and smells of the passing camels."

About her return to the Netherlands she says "I couldn't concentrate on anything that was not about Oman. All of my other commissions suffered. Painting portraits of businessmen, actors and poets just didn't seem to flow. I was too inspired by the Bedu women with their golden birkhas and the beautiful dresses that they wear with such grace. Every scene moved me. I wanted to capture an essence of their lifestyle."

"When I am away I always miss Oman and can not wait to return. It is a beautiful country and still relatively quiet. The people are extremely friendly and for an artist the light is breathtaking. Oman is a joy upon the eye of the beholder."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited Edition Prints by Tonny Holsbergen