Fueled in part by the return of Dutch independence in 1813, collecting art became popular with the growing middle class, and the number of Dutch artists increased six-fold between 1800 and 1840.  The works selected for the exhibition have rarely been on view, and never before on the West Coast.

Bakels	Dankmeijer	Leickert	Lokhorst
Mastenbroek	Van de Velden	de Zwarte	Mesdag

The over sixty different artists view represent a broad range of styles and subject matter, including cityscapes, landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, portraits, and interiors. They all share a common affection for uniquely Dutch subject matter.  The exhibition is comprised of three main groupings. The earliest is known as the Dutch Romantic style.  The famous Hague School of painting represents the second.  The last is of artists of the end of the nineteenth century known as second-generation Hague School or Dutch Impressionists.  Many of the artworks are large in scale.  A richly illustrated and substantial catalog, with an essay by the curator and a complete checklist, accompanies the exhibition.

Opening Weekend Events:     Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008

Lecture: 2 PM
“Confessions of Art Addicts”
by Dr. Jan and Mrs. Mary Ann Beekhuis
followed by “The Status of Dutch Artists in the 19th Century”
by Thea Grigsby, curator and catalog essayist.
LeFevre Theatre

Ribbon-cutting: 3 PM

Douglass Engmann
Consul of  The Netherlands
and Johan P. Snapper, Ph.D.
Queen Beatrix Professor Emeritus
of Dutch Language, Literature & Culture
UC Berkeley
Vice Consul (hon.)

Gallery
Reception: Following ceremony until 4 PM
Admission: $5 admits one to the exhibition, lecture and reception
All events free to members of the Friends of the Hearst Art Gallery.

Curator-led Public Tours: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2 PM

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 12:15 PM

        *All programming subject to change