Hans de Bruijn, born in 1959 in Leiden, is a Dutch visual artist whose work is deeply rooted in the painting tradition, with a particular emphasis on Expressionism and Romanticism. He graduated cum laude from the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague in 1986 and continued his education with a two-year work period at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam. ​

In his paintings, De Bruijn explores the "landscape of painting". He draws inspiration from the rich history of painting, in which Romanticism plays a prominent role. This is reflected, among other things, in his works based on drawings by Albrecht Dürer, such as images of the hare and the dog. De Bruijn makes a direct link between Dürer and the 20th-century artist Joseph Beuys, whose shamanistic vision connects art with a dead hare. This combination of religious aspects and mythology gives his work a deeper meaning.​

His painting technique is characterized by the use of creamy thick paint, which he 'sculpts' with brush and knife. Through this approach, a visionary image emerges under his direction, from the chaos of movement. This method places him in the expressionist tradition, in which the passion for the expressive power of paint is central. ​

De Bruijn's oeuvre is characterized by an ongoing dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation. His work testifies to a deep appreciation for art history, while at the same time he searches for new ways to interpret and transform these traditions.