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International
Art Treasures Web Magazine November 2004 |
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The Hague
Diplomacy and International Justice are probably the first things that are associated with The Hague. The city in Holland is rich in history, architecture and of course art. Mauritshuis
Any visitor must take ample time to visit the Mauritshuis which is home to two of the most beloved Vermeer masterpieces, View of Delft and Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Johannes Vermeer is widely considered to be the greatest Dutch artist of the 17th Century, second only to Rembrandt. Vermeer was born and spent most of his life in his native Delft. His preferred subject matter was domesticity. He is believed to have painted only one landscape, View of Delft. Vermeer's landscape is perceived as better that those of his peers who specialized in the genre. Vermeer's genius lay in his unparalleled use of light. He choose not to use the traditional grey brown palette, instead using brighter shades that were said to make his paintings glow. Vermeer used a form of camera obscura to provide accuracy. A black box with a tiny pinhole opening would project an image that could be traced onto paper. Uniquely he would often use simple dabs of paint to reflect light and add to the vibrancy of the work. By painstakingly altering the colors of the various objects in the work, in reflection of their proximity to the light source, brought an overall sense of realism to his scenes of everyday life.
Adriaen Coorte favored still life. Many of his works that survive are a simple collection of items set on a plain ledge. Examine his works closely, for he was known to occasionally add a butterfly, perhaps allegorical or merely an individual preference. Coorte created a series of works utilizing a bunch of asparagus in his still life. The Mauritshuis houses an unparalleled collection of Dutch and Flemish Art spanning the 15-18th centuries. Visitors have until January 9, 2005 to view Carel Fabritius: Young Master Painter at the Mauritshuis. Included in this exhibit is one of the artist's most famous works The Goldfinch painted in 1654. Each of the artist's twelve known works are being presented, for the first time, in this exhibit. Fabritius was Rembrandt's pupil, oft thought to be the most gifted artist of the master's studio. Sadly he lost his life during the 1654 explosion in Delft, when the city's gunpowder ammunition holdings erupted causing hundred of causalities. The studio of Carel Fabritius, (1622 - 1654), was also destroyed which is why so few of his works survive to present day. Gemeentemuseum
The Gemeentemuseum or Municipal Museum in the Hague is considered to be the finest example of classical / modern architecture in the country. The Museum was designed by noted Dutch Architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage who was a student of Gottfried Semper.
German Expressionists
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 Title: Palace, The Hague Image Courtesy: www.holland.com |
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Den Haag or The Hague dates back to 1248 when Count Willem II selected the city as his residence. Originally a small village meant to house a small hunting lodge the city grew into the cosmopolitan complex that is the seat of Holland's administrative government and the Dutch Royal Family.
Royalty generally means Palaces and The Hague is naturally the location of several. Palace Huis ten Bosch was nearly destroyed during World War II by the Nazis. Luckily their plans to tear down the historic building did not come to fruition. It fell into disrepair and underwent a significant reconstruction in 1977. Queen Beatrix decided to use Huis ten Bosch Palace as her residence, making The Hague home to the Royal Family once more, beginning in 1981.
Noordeinde Palace was damaged during the Second World War under the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. It had been used as a royal residence from the 17th Century until the war forced the Dutch Royal Family to flee the incoming army. It became Queen Beatrix's work place from 1984.
 Title: Kurhaus, The Hague Image Courtesy: www.holland.com |
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In 1899 Tsar Nicholas II of Russia convened the First Hague Conference. Since that time The Hague has become the geopolitical center of the world in addressing international justice and arbitration, necessary more so than ever in the modern global age.
Justice, diplomacy and with the rich heritage of Dutch masters an impressive art collection that is a must see for all art enthusiasts!
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