Splendid Quarantine represents a series of paintings made in response to the Belgian lockdown during the Corona pandemic of 2020. From March 18th until May 18th the borders were closed and non-essential travel was not allowed. Verkaeren was forced to explore his own cultural heritage inside the gardens and fields of the Flemish town of Hamont-Achel. The paintings are not mere observations, they are dreams of a landscape within a landscape.

As the large canvases move from one location to another they create a border themselves over the empty streets. Aside from blocking the roads they also do what art does best, they transport people. The accidental passerby unexpectedly engages with a sparkle of light, as being hugged by a brushstroke.

“In any case, if the work of Nils Verkaeren strikes a chord with the spectator, even if only for a short time, then he has already succeeded. He proves that the artist is important to our mental wellbeing.” - Daan Ra