It has taken me a long time to really appreciate 15th and 16th century portraiture. Until the story of Marten Soolman and Oopjen Coppit (popularly known as ‘Marten&Oopjen’), the Dutch couple painted by Rembrandt in 1634, found in the bedroom of a Rothschild (one cannot have enough Rembrandts beside your bed!) and now owned by The Rijksmuseum and The Louvre. True icons of the age. Totally in awe of the quality and detail of the paintings, it made me really look at portraiture in a different way.
Very similar to how I always try and look at partnerships in a different way, the story is always found in the details! Where do details connect and how can we create a new story?
This is why I am, again, totally in awe of the new exhibition ‘Icons: Masterpieces of the National Portrait Gallery’, at the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden. A unique exhibition including paintings, photographs, sculptures, prints and drawings by outstanding artists worldwide: from Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck to Andy Warhol and Marlene Dumas. Among those portrayed are world-famous icons, from Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare to Audrey Hepburn, David Beckham and Malala Yousafzai.
We move from one end of the spectrum, traditional portraiture from the 15th century, to the other end of the spectrum, contemporary photography. All connected by the fact that every person portrayed is an Icon of its time, from Elisabeth I to Malala.
I impressed that the museum has taken the opportunity to explore the complex and fascinating genre of portraiture in such a way! Making it interesting for a broad group of people.
On a final note: Leeuwarden is not far! Even though it might seem so, it is so worth the drive, crossing the Afsluitdijk and visit this quintessential part of Holland! But if you really can’t make it,..as I have said many times before, buy the book: Icons, identity in portraits!
IG: @friesmuseum