One painting, one story: Canal of Amsterdam, red tourist boat

   

Original painting by Mathias | Paintings Collection – Amsterdam

  

In this vibrant acrylic on canvas, Amsterdam bursts into life with a whirlwind of color, movement, and energy. Canal of Amsterdam, red tourist boat captures the charm of the city’s iconic canals with a bold palette and expressive linework. The canal-side houses glow in shades of orange, red, and blue, anchored by flourishing green trees and the unmistakable red sightseeing boat gliding through the water. The perspective is dynamic, the composition rich in rhythm — an urban landscape alive with joy.

This painting was born from a sunny afternoon spent sketching along the Prinsengracht. As boats passed by and bicycles rang in the distance, the artist absorbed the colors of summer reflected in the canal. The red tourist boat — ever-present in Amsterdam’s daily rhythm — became the anchor of the composition. It was not just about the architecture or the canal; it was about the tempo of the city, the dance of reflections, and the way light makes everything pulse with life.

This original painting is now available for purchase through our online gallery — a celebration of Amsterdam for anyone who wants to bring the city's spirit into their space.

👉 View and purchase the painting here

Inspired by Collectors | Cafe of Amsterdam, yellow bike and girl (2015)

 Some paintings live on — not on our walls, but in our memory.

In this series, we revisit artworks that have already found their new homes. Glimpses of color, movement, and story that once touched someone’s heart — and might just inspire your own.

In this dazzling composition, Mathias captures a radiant slice of urban life in Amsterdam — a vibrant café scene bursting with color, movement, and emotion. Dominated by a striking palette of electric blues, lush greens, and fiery oranges, the painting frames a yellow bicycle in the foreground, flanked by a woman in a bright yellow dress. Behind her, a lively café pulses with figures deep in conversation, rendered in expressive strokes that give the entire scene a sense of joyful chaos. The painting, measuring 90×70 cm and created in 2015, evokes both summer heat and urban cool, inviting the viewer into an atmosphere that is simultaneously familiar and dreamlike.

The original inspiration for this work came during an afternoon stroll through Amsterdam's Jordaan district — a neighborhood Mathias has often painted. The moment was fleeting, yet full of life: bicycles parked haphazardly, café chairs scraping pavement, voices mingling like brushstrokes in the air. Mathias, known for his signature linework that mimics motion and emotion, translated the scene into a composition where color and gesture dance across the canvas. No detail is static; everything flows, vibrates, breathes. This painting, once completed, was swiftly acquired by a collector who felt a personal connection to the atmosphere — proof of the universal appeal woven into its layers.

Though this piece has already found its home, it continues to spark new stories. If this painting resonates with your memories, your city, or your lifestyle, it can inspire a custom-made artwork just for you — in your colors, your rhythm, your own café moment. A personalized painting is more than décor — it’s a piece of your world on canvas.

And if you'd like to enjoy this artwork in your space, 

👉 See how to commission a custom painting

it is also available as a limited digital fine art print (Inkography) in our online gallery.

👉 Order this artwork as a fine art print

World Bicycle Day - 2025

Celebrating Two Wheels 
of Freedom in Amsterdam and Beyond

Every year on June 3rd, the world comes together to celebrate World Bicycle Day, a United Nations-recognized event that underscores the bicycle's role as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean, and environmentally sustainable means of transportation. In cities like Amsterdam, where cycling is deeply ingrained in the culture, this day serves as both a celebration and a reminder of the bicycle's enduring significance.

Bike of Amsterdam - Print of Art - no.036

See in Kleine Atelier Online

---

A Brief History of World Bicycle Day

The inception of World Bicycle Day can be traced back to a grassroots campaign led by Professor Leszek Sibilski, a Polish-American sociologist and cycling advocate. His efforts culminated in a United Nations General Assembly resolution in April 2018, officially designating June 3rd as World Bicycle Day. The resolution acknowledges the bicycle's uniqueness, longevity, and versatility, highlighting its role in fostering sustainable development, promoting health, and facilitating social inclusion.

---

The Netherlands: A Cycling Nation

The Netherlands stands as a global exemplar of cycling culture. With approximately 23 million bicycles for a population of 17 million, the Dutch own more bicycles per capita than any other country. Cycling accounts for 28% of all journeys nationwide, a testament to the country's extensive cycling infrastructure and the population's commitment to sustainable transportation. 

---

Amsterdam: The City of Bikes

Amsterdam, the capital city, epitomizes the Dutch cycling ethos. With around 881,000 bicycles for its 780,000 residents, the city boasts more bikes than people. Cycling accounts for 38% of all journeys in Amsterdam, facilitated by over 500 kilometers of dedicated bike paths. The city's flat terrain, compact layout, and cycling-friendly infrastructure make it an ideal environment for cyclists of all ages.

 Street of Amsterdam - Red Bike

See in Kleine Atelier Online

---

World Bicycle Day Celebrations in the Netherlands

World Bicycle Day is marked by various events across the Netherlands. In The Hague, the annual Diplomats Biking Spree brings together diplomats and international representatives for a cycling tour, promoting sustainable transportation and international camaraderie. These events not only celebrate the joy of cycling but also highlight its role in fostering health, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion.

---

Bicycles in Art: Mathias's Tribute to Amsterdam

In the realm of art, bicycles have long served as symbols of freedom, movement, and urban life. Artist Mathias captures this essence in his paintings, where bicycles often feature prominently against the backdrop of Amsterdam's iconic canals and architecture. His work pays homage to the city's cycling culture, portraying bicycles not just as modes of transport but as integral elements of Amsterdam's identity.

DUTCH BIKES  Iconic Bicycles Art - no.001

Print on Canvas

See at Kleine Atelier Online

Mathias's art is available in various formats, including original paintings, inkography prints, and canvas reproductions. These pieces serve as both artistic expressions and souvenirs, allowing admirers to take a piece of Amsterdam's cycling spirit home with them.

🖼️ Available in our gallery as an original painting
🎨 Also offered as print on canvas and inkography

🔗 kleineatelier.online

A Dutch icon painted in expressive motion.