PAT ANDREA painter:

We were rather shocked by the dusty aspect of these venerable rooms with their velvet curtains, where the paintings had to be delivered, accustomed as we were to the clean surroundings of Dutch Museums. But soon we were able to forget all about this when it occurred that Dick Stapel had won the First Award, which went with a handsome premium that allowed the artist to rebuild his reknowned farm in Acquoy, where he still lives now. The most curious thing is that I am now in 2004 correspondent of the prestigious Académie de Beaux Arts of the Institut de France as member of the jury of the Portrait Award Paul-Louis Weiller. Now that Dick Stapel has his great reputation, he does not apply any more.