Nicolien van KloppArt over kunst, lithografie en een nieuw begin
From curiosity to a personal collection
"Every home deserves art that tells a story." Nicolien Kloppert, founder of KloppArt, helps people find the perfect works of art. As she herself says, to "turn a house into a home." Nicolien makes art accessible, meaningful, and personal, so that each piece is not just a decoration for the wall, but truly contributes to the atmosphere and identity of a home.
Nicolien's passion lies in lithography, also known as stone printing. In this technique, a drawing is applied to a stone using oil pastel, which is then 'inked' and printed on paper. That's the basic definition, but Nicolien explains it in great detail during my visit to her gallery. The result is original, handmade prints that retain the precision, emotion, and style of the artist, but in multiple "unique" copies. "What fascinates me," Nicolien explains, "is that by owning a lithograph, you can suddenly own art by artists such as Matisse, Picasso, or Van Dongen, without having to spend a few hundred thousand dollars. It is more accessible to many than an original painting, while each copy still bears the artistic hand and intention of the artist."
A life shaped by art and discovery
Nicolien's fascination with art began at an early age. As a child, she was taken to galleries and never missed a museum or gallery during business trips. She was particularly fascinated by 20th-century art and the story of Atelier Mourlot in Paris, where greats such as Matisse and Picasso created exhibition posters and lithographs. "I loved the idea that many artists made their first lithographs out of a need for publicity (around exhibitions). It showed that art could live on beyond the canvas, beyond the walls of a gallery."
That curiosity grew into a personal collection. Carefully curated, professionally framed, and beautifully displayed in her home, the lithographs became an integral part of her living space. And soon others noticed too. Friends admired the collection, asked about it, and sometimes even wanted to buy pieces. "That was the seed," Nicolien recalls. "I realized that I could share my knowledge, enthusiasm, and the stories I love to share, as well as the perfect placement of a work in a home, not only with myself but also with others."
A meeting in Germany
During the final years of her previous career, Nicolien worked in Germany. After work, she often visited galleries, and one day she met a man who had devoted almost 60 years of his life to the art trade. What began as a chance encounter grew into a valuable friendship and mentorship. "He showed me hidden gems and told stories about artists and techniques. His amazement at my knowledge and enthusiasm for lithography, always emphasizing my age, has unconsciously been a defining factor in my life. I still see and talk to him regularly. He is now 86 years old, but still an inspiring source of stories."
Resilience and clarity
In early 2024, Nicolien faced a serious health challenge: a sudden illness caused facial paralysis and impaired her balance and hearing. Doctors warned that a full recovery was uncertain. Yet Nicolien remained positive. "Every day, I reminded myself: don't look back, look forward. After a few difficult months, things turned around, and I knew: this is the moment to turn my passion into my work."
Customized art advice, also at people's homes
From that moment on, Nicolien not only collected art for herself, but also with a vision for the future. She officially started her own business at the end of 2024 and has been a source of art for others ever since. KloppArt goes beyond selling art. Nicolien offers a personal service, visits clients' homes, and advises on color, light, and placement, so that each work is shown to its best advantage. "I am sometimes compared to an interior stylist, but for art," she says. Clients describe the experience as transformative: a lithograph is not a purchase, but an addition of character and soul to their home. "Sometimes couples buy their first work of art together and are moved to tears of happiness. That's fantastic," says Nicolien.
A gallery full of stories
Anyone who visits Nicolien in her gallery is given a personal tour. "I have something special to say about every work." Each work carries history within it: the artist's intention, the period in which the work was created, the subtle details that make it special. Nicolien brings these stories to life, providing context and connection.
She also ensures a warm welcome. "I think it's important that people feel welcome." So there is exclusive tea and beautiful cakes, or even a drink with a glass of wine. Nicolien emphasizes, "viewing and discovering art should be a fun experience, not a barrier."
Art for a new generation
Since KloppArt was founded, Nicolien has quickly become a trusted advisor to collectors, both beginners and experienced art lovers. She selects each work with an eye for quality and emotion, provides frames chosen by her and made by craftsmen, and combines in-depth knowledge with genuine enthusiasm.
AtKloppArt – Collections & Consultancy, it's not just about viewing and purchasing art; a visit can also focus on advice and guidance in creating a cohesive, personal art interior. Sometimes that means a single work, sometimes a complete "art facelift" for a home, with Nicolien Immediately work with works under her arm and her vision of color, light, and space. Whether it's a large or small project, for yourself or as a group gift with the gift box, beginners or seasoned collectors, at KloppArt they will find a partner who thinks along with them, inspires them, and finds the perfect balance between story, emotion, and aesthetics.
“Art lets you breathe with a different kind of happiness,” says Nicolien, referring to Bauhaus artist Anni Albers. “It brightens your space, your mood, your whole sense of being. It simply adds to everything that matters.”
Contact details for an appointment with Nicolien at KloppArt on Keizersgracht: KloppArt Collections & Consultancy
Follow KloppArt on Instagram @kloppart.official