4 June 2021
After months of being closed due to the Corona measures, The Mesdag Collection reopened its doors on Saturday, 5 June.
In addition to the permanent collection of 19th-century paintings, the presentation The Network of Sientje Mesdag-van Houten. Female Artists in The Mesdag Collection is on view, and has been extended until 20 June.
From 25 June, three newly added paintings to the collection can be admired at the museum: Self-portrait with a Portrait of Raden Mas Jodjana in the Background by Isaac Israels, Dutch Beach Scene by Hendrik Willem Mesdag and Herring Smokers by Philip Sadée. The works by Israels and Sadée are on display in the museum’s presentation of its permanent collection for the first time.
The publication of a revised edition of the book Masterpieces in The Mesdag Collection coincides with the museum’s reopening.
Acquisitions
Only in exceptional cases is the museum’s historical collection expanded by new works of art.
Wite de Savornin Lohman, manager of The Mesdag Collection: ‘These acquisitions enrich the collection and are a tribute to the Mesdag-van Houten couple, who were so vital to the 19th-century art world. Israels’ powerful self-portrait had already been exhibited in our museum in 2005 and has now been permanently added to the collection. After travelling around the world, the paintings by Sadée and Mesdag have also returned to the Mesdags’ museum.
In this self-portrait, Isaac Israels included the likeness of Raden Mas Jodjana, a Javanese prince who worked as a dancer and an artist in The Hague. Jodjana’s daughter bequeathed this double portrait to The Mesdag Collection: ‘My father and he were good friends. Israels often visited my father at his studio and also gave him lessons.’
An elaborate beach scene by Mesdag, for which he was so famous, was still missing in the collection. This painting was generously donated by a Dutch family in Canada in 2018.
A family member said: ‘It was always a fine sight to see our children and grandchildren sitting on the sofa under this beach scene. We liked the idea of it returning home so that more people can enjoy it.’
In his atelier, Mesdag had sliding doors with eight panels that he had painted by artists with whom he was acquainted. This panel with Scheveningen women smoking herring by Philip Sadée was removed along with the others after Mesdag’s death.
Curator Renske Suijver: ‘In 2018 we were able to buy back the painting. It has suffered some damage, but as it once was truly part of this building, we gratefully accept it in its present condition.’
Masterpieces in The Mesdag Collection
To coincide with the reopening of The Mesdag Collection, a revised edition of the book Masterpieces in The Mesdag Collection has been issued. This richly illustrated publication tells the story of the museum’s exceptional collection of 19th-century art and describes the life and work of marine painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his wife Sientje Mesdag-van Houten. Together, they assembled a unique collection of art and applied art that includes, in addition to their own work, pieces by Lourens Alma Tadema, Theo Colenbrander, Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet, Charles-François Daubigny, Jozef Israëls, Antonio Mancini, the Maris brothers, Anton Mauve, Jean-François Millet, Willem Roelofs, Theodore Rousseau, Thérèse Schwartze, and John Singer Sargent, among others.
In this new edition, extra attention is paid to the female artists in the museum’s collection, such as Thérèse Schwartze and Marie Bilders-van Bosse. Sientje Mesdag-van Houten’s role as an artist and assembler of the collection is also more fully fleshed out than in the previous edition. In addition to over 110 illustrations of masterpieces, the publication provides background information on the collectors, their collection and the museum. In this new edition, historical photographs and interior photographs have been added to convey the museum’s distinctive atmosphere.
Masterpieces in The Mesdag Collection
Authors: Maite van Dijk and Renske Suijver, with contributions by Menno Fitski and Christien Smits.
Available in Dutch, English and French
€ 22.95
Masterpieces in The Mesdag Collection was realised with the support of the Gifted Art Foundation.
English edition: Masterpieces in The Mesdag Collection.
French edition: Chefs-d’oeuvre de la Collection Mesdag.
Published in association with Tijdsbeeld Publishers. Distribution in The Netherlands and Flanders: Rubinstein Publishers.
Presentation The Network of Sientje Mesdag-van Houten. Female Artists in The Mesdag Collection extended until 20 June 2021
With their interest in art by female artists, the Mesdags were far ahead of their time. Sientje Mesdag-van Houten in particular played a significant role in supporting female artists. She taught various women and served on the boards of women’s associations. Her network forms the leitmotif in this presentation. Works by Marie Bilders-van Bosse, Suze Robertson, Thérèse Schwartze, Margaretha Roosenboom, Gerardina van de Sande Bakhuyzen and others are on display. This exhibition was realised with the support of the Rembrandt Association and the Turning Foundation.
Revised Opening Hours The Mesdag Collection
From 1 June 2021 The Mesdag Collection will be open from 10:00 to 17:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Educational groups are welcome on Fridays from 9:00 to 17:00.
For additional information and admission tickets (available only online), please see: www.demesdagcollectie.nl