In the 1930s, Piet Engels had a good reputation in Brabant as a painter of landscapes and still lifes. Afterwards, and especially after 1960, his work increased in expressiveness due to a freer, strong brushstroke and a bright coloration. Engels not only records, but knows how to convey in his watercolours, gouaches and oil paintings what moves him about his subject. 'The joy of beauty turned into colour' critics called this. In addition to drawing and painting, the artist also made woodcuts, mosaics and monumental wall paintings. In the 1950s and 1960s he took part in group exhibitions in the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven.