Thursday, December 7, 2017

Bosch to Bloemaert: Early Netherlandish Drawings from the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam


National Gallery of Art, Washington
October 8, 2017, through January 7, 2018




Hieronymus Bosch, The Owl's Nest, c. 1505/1515, pen and brown ink on paper, laid down. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
  • Hieronymus Bosch, The Owl's Nest, c. 1505/1515
    pen and brown ink on paper, laid down
    Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
Rotterdam's historic Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen holds one of the finest collections of Netherlandish master drawings. In a special presentation of this collection at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, some 100 works explore the many functions of drawings, from preparatory studies for paintings and designs for prints to finished works of art. On view from October 8, 2017, through January 7, 2018, Bosch to Bloemaert: Early Netherlandish Drawings from the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam includes landscapes, portraits, biblical scenes, and historical and mythological scenes that will be exhibited in the United States only in Washington.

 

  • Hendrick Goltzius, The Sense of Sight from the series The Five Senses, c. 1595/1596. Black chalk, pen and brown ink, brown wash, and red chalk, heightened with white and indented, partially overdrawn in graphite, overall: 15.9 12.4 cm. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam.

"This exhibition presents a stunning selection of Netherlandish drawings," said Earl A. Powell III, director, National Gallery of Art, Washington. "The National Gallery of Art has a nearly 50-year tradition of presenting drawing exhibitions that focus on specific treasures from other collections around the world, and we are delighted to be able to introduce our visitors to this selection of rare, innovative, and distinctive sheets from this distinguished Rotterdam institution. As the final venue for the exhibition's tour, we are delighted to be the only U.S. museum presenting these works to our millions of visitors in the nation's capital."

Organization

The exhibition is organized by the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam.
The exhibition premiered at the Fondation Custodia, Paris, from March 22 through June 22, 2014, and traveled to the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, where it was presented in three parts from November 1, 2014, through July 26, 2015.

About the Exhibition

While the exhibition features the remarkable skill and virtuosity of masters such as Hieronymus Bosch, Abraham Bloemaert, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and Hendrick Goltzius, several key examples also reveal the variety of functions served by drawings across the 15th through 17th centuries.
In the 15th-century artist's workshop, meticulous studies recorded compositions and motifs for reuse in later works. Several drawings on view likely served this purpose, including a newly discovered sheet of the crucifixion dating from around 1440 to 1450, from the workshop of Jan van Eyck (c. 1390–1441). A selection of 16th-century drawings includes a number of preliminary studies, such as a rare complete set of preparatory drawings for a print series by Hans Bol (1534–1593). Two very different figure studies for a painting by Abraham Bloemaert (1566-1651) offer a glimpse into artistic practices in the early 17th century.


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Pieter Bruegel Mountain Landscape with a Mule Caravan, c. 1553/1555pen and dark brown ink with traces of red chalk and blue inkoverall: 21.7 ×30.2 cm (8 9/16 ×11 7/8 in.)framed: 43.5 ×57.5 cm (17 1/8 ×22 5/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Pieter Bruegel Mountain Landscape with the Journey to Emmaus, c. 1560pen and brush and gray and brown ink with traces of black chalkoverall: 24.4 ×37.1 cm (9 5/8 ×14 5/8 in.)framed: 43.5 ×57.5 cm (17 1/8 ×22 5/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

http://www.pieterbruegel.net/sites/default/files/styles/node_display/public/54_View_of_Reggio_di_Calabria.jpg?itok=pW93Ouq_

Pieter Bruegel View of Reggio di Calabria, c. 1560 pen and brown ink with brown and gray wash (added later)overall: 15.6 ×24.2 cm (6 1/8 ×9 1/2 in.)framed: 43.5 ×57.5 cm (17 1/8 ×22 5/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam


The exhibition also traces the major artistic developments of the time. Among the most important was the emergence of landscape as a genre, a movement marked in the exhibition by several panoramic mountain views by the great master Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c. 1525/1530–1569).

Studies of local and faraway scenes by later artists include

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Flooded Valley with Trees by Pieter's son, Jan Breughel (1568–1625),

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 and Landscape with Horsemen out Hawking, by Joos de Momper (1564–1635).

This period reflects a shift in attitudes toward drawings themselves, as both artists and collectors began to view them as autonomous works of art.

Hieronymus Bosch, The Owl's Nest, c. 1505/1515, pen and brown ink on paper, laid down. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

  • Hieronymus Bosch, The Owl's Nest, c. 1505/1515
    pen and brown ink on paper, laid down
    Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

The Owl's Nest (c. 1505/1515) by Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450–1516) is a spectacular early example of this trend.

Decades later, the innovative painter and printmaker Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617) made independent drawings in a variety of media. The exhibition includes 14 works by Goltzius, drawings that range from tiny metalpoint portraits to elaborate pen studies. His work also exemplifies the increasingly international character of Netherlandish art, as Goltzius absorbed the influence of the classical and Renaissance works he saw in Italy and adapted the sophisticated style his counterparts brought home from the imperial court in Prague.

Curators and Catalog

The exhibition is curated by Albert J. Elen, senior curator of drawings and prints, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam. Stacey Sell, associate curator, department of old master drawings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, is the coordinating curator for the presentation in Washington.
Published by the Fondation Custodia and Uitgeverij THOTH, Bussum, the fully illustrated exhibition catalog is the result of a long-term research project into this unique collection of drawings at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Some 400 old master drawings have been cataloged in recent years, and a selection of 140 of the finest works is presented in full-page format and color in this catalog, together with explanatory texts and supporting illustrations. The 296-page catalog will be available in softcover.

https://www.hieronymus-bosch.org/thumbnail/393000/393961/mini_large/Fox-And-Rooster.jpg?ts=1459229076

Hieronymus Bosch Spinster and Old Woman (recto), c. 1480/1490pen and brown and gray ink over all: 12 ×8.5 cm (4 3/4 ×3 3/8 in.)framed: 57.5 ×43.5 cm (22 5/8 ×17 1/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam



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Hieronymus Bosch Fox and Rooster (verso), c. 1480/1490pen and brown and gray inkoverall: 12 ×8.5 cm (4 3/4 ×3 3/8 in.)framed: 57.5 ×43.5 cm (22 5/8 ×17 1/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Lucas van Leyden Jaël Killing Sisera, c. 1520/1525 pen and brown ink overall: 27.1 ×20.3 cm (10 11/16 ×8 in.)framed: 57.5 ×43.5 cm (22 5/8 ×17 1/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
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Jan Swart van Groningen The Elders Spying on Susanna, c. 1530/1550pen and black and brown ink with brown washoverall: 26.3 ×19.8 cm (10 3/8 ×7 13/16 in.)framed: 57.5 ×43.5 cm (22 5/8 ×17 1/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Hans_Bol_-_The_month_January_%28Aquarius%29.jpg

Hans Bol January (Aquarius) from the series The Twelve Months, c. 1580/1581pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid downdiameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.)framed: 43.5 ×57.5 cm (17 1/8 ×22 5/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Hans_Bol_-_The_month_February_%28Pisces%29.jpg/766px-Hans_Bol_-_The_month_February_%28Pisces%29.jpg

Hans Bol February (Pisces) from the series The Twelve Months, c. 1580/1581pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid downdiameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.)framed: 43.5 ×57.5 cm (17 1/8 ×22 5/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Hans Bol March (Aries) from the series The Twelve Months, c. 1580/1581pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid downdiameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.)framed: 43.5 ×57.5 cm (17 1/8 ×22 5/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

http://www.artnet.com/WebServices/images/ll01273lld4u0GFgDVECfDrCWvaHBOcpSxD/abraham-bloemaert-the-annunciation.jpg

Abraham Bloemaert The Annunciation, c. 1615/1618black chalk with pen and brown ink and brown wash, heightened with white and indented, ondiscolored blue paperoverall: 34.5 ×27.8 cm (13 9/16 ×10 15/16 in.)framed: 57.5 ×43.5 cm (22 5/8 ×17 1/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Hendrick Goltzius The Man with the Potato Nose, c. 1600/1605pen and brown inksheet: 23.8 ×16.7 cm (9 3/8 ×6 9/16 in.)framed: 57.5 ×43.5 cm (22 5/8 ×17 1/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Abraham Bloemaert The Lamentation of Christ, c. 1625black and white chalk with stumping on light brown papersheet: 14.6 ×26.3 cm (5 3/4 ×10 3/8 in.)framed: 43.5 ×57.5 cm (17 1/8 ×22 5/8 in.)Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Hans Bol April (Taurus) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam


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Hans Bol May (Gemini) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Hans Bol June (Cancer) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Hans Bol July (Leo) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Hans_Bol_-_The_Month_August_%28Virgo%29.jpg

Hans Bol August (Virgo) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Hans_Bol_-_The_Month_September_%28Libra%29.jpg

Hans Bol September (Libra) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Hans_Bol_-_The_Month_October_%28Scorpio%29.jpg

Hans Bol October (Scorpio) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Hans_Bol_-_The_Month_November_%28Sagittarius%29.jpg

Hans Bol November (Sagittarius) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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Hans Bol December (Capricorn) from the series The Twelve Months , c. 1580/1581 pen and brown ink with brown wash, on a circular piece of paper, laid down diameter: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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 Hans Bol The Prodigal Son Squandering His Wealth , 1584 pen and dark brown ink with brown wash, indented overall: 12.4  × 17.9 cm (4 7/8  × 7 1/16 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam


. No. 34 / File Name: 3957-039.

 Hans Bol Forest Landscape with a Stream , 1588 pen and brown ink with gray wash and traces of black chalk overall: 14.6  × 21.2 cm (5 3/4  × 8 3/8 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam



. No. 40 / File Name: 3957-042.

 Maarten van Heemskerck The Triumph of Joseph , 1559 pen and brown ink overall: 18.3  × 26.2 cm (7 3/16  × 10 5/16 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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 Pieter Bruegel Charity , 1559 pen and brown ink, indented overall: 22.4  × 29.3 cm (8 13/16  × 11 9/16 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

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 Pieter Bruegel Fortitude , 1560 pen and brown ink, indented, on paper, laid down overall: 22.5  × 29.6 cm (8 7/8  × 11 5/8 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam  
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 Pieter Bruegel Temperance , 1560 pen and brown ink, indented overall: 22.1  × 29.4 cm (8 11/16  × 11 9/16 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam


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 Hans Speckaert The Battle of the Gods and Giants , c. 1575 black chalk with pen and brown ink and brown wash, heightened with white overall: 41.5  × 26.8 cm (16 5/16  × 10 9/16 in.) framed: 52.5  × 68.7 cm (20 11/16  × 27 1/16 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

Portrait of Jan Baertsz., Hendrick Goltzius, 1580 | Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

 Hendrick Goltzius Portrait of Jan Baertsz , 1580 metalpoint, heightened with white, partially reworked with pen and brown ink, with gouache, on ivory-colored prepared tablet overall: 8.3  × 7.7 cm (3 1/4  × 3 1/16 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

Portrait of Maritgen Pietersdochter, Hendrick Goltzius, 1580 | Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

 Hendrick Goltzius Portrait of Maritgen Pietersdochter , 1580 metalpoint, heightened with white, partially reworked with pen and brown ink, with gouache, on ivory-colored prepared tablet overall: 8.2  × 7.5 cm (3 1/4  × 2 15/16 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam



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 Hendrick Goltzius The Sense of Hearing from the series The Five Senses, c. 1595/1596 pen and brown ink and brown wash with traces of black chalk, heightened with white, indented, partially overdrawn in graphite overall: 15.9  × 12.4 cm (6 1/4  × 4 7/8 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam 

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Hendrick Goltzius, The Sense of Smell from the series The Five Senses , c. 1595/1596 pen and brown ink and brown wash with traces of black chalk, heightened with white, indented and partially overdrawn in pencil overall: 15.9  × 12.4 cm (6 1/4  × 4 7/8 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

https://art.famsf.org/sites/default/files/artwork/saenredam/3185201204400081.jpg


Hendrick Goltzius The Sense of Taste from the series The Five Senses , c. 1595/1596 black chalk, pen and brown ink, and brown wash, heightened with white, indented, and partially overdrawn in graphite overall: 15.9  × 12.4 cm (6 1/4  × 4 7/8 in.) framed: 43.5  × 12.4 cm (17 1/8  × 4 7/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
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 Abraham Bloemaert Interior of a Cooper's Workshop , c. 1600/1610 black chalk and pen and brown ink with brown and red wash overall: 19  × 24.2 cm (7 1/2  × 9 1/2 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam



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Abraham Bloemaert The Lamentation of Christ , c. 1625 black chalk with pen and brown ink and brown wash, heightened with white and squared overall: 23.1  × 37.8 cm (9 1/8  × 14 7/8 in.) framed: 43.5  × 57.5 cm (17 1/8  × 22 5/8 in.) Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam