Johanna Elisabeth "Els" Coppens-van de Rijt (born August 18, 1943) is an artist and author from Vlierden, Netherlands.
Coppens-van de Rijt was born in Sint-Oedenrode, as one of twins to a Roman Catholic family with 11 children. She studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven with Kees Bol and Jan Gregoor and at the Art Academy of Maastricht.Els Coppens-van de Rijt at Personalia Here she met her husband, sculptor Joep Coppens.
After her studies she made name as a painter, in particular of portraits.Brabander L: Geloven in Nederland. (Dutch for Believing in the Netherlands). Kampen: Kok, 2006, p. 39. She ceased painting, however, due to Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. Since, she has been writing among others on her Christian belief.
Books written 1996 – The other reality 1997 – I stayed at the edge of the river 2002 – Frank letters of belief 2008 – Martien Coppens, from village boy to city man (with Joep Coppens)
References
Further reading Leo Brabander: Ziekte en lijden voegen iets toe aan ons leven (Dutch: Disease and suffering add something to our lives), book chapter on Els Coppens van de Rijt in Geloven in Nederland. (Dutch: Believing in the Netherlands). Kampen: Kok, 2006, p. 38-43. Joep en Els Coppens. Neerpelt: De Dommelhof, 1971.