Painters of Drenthe

Wild, savage and lush nature. That is what artists were looking for in the nineteenth century. From around 1850 they flocked to Drenthe. The landscape was still unspoilt and there were hardly any cities or factories. That was different in the rest of the Netherlands. A lot of industry was being built there: roads, ports and factories were springing up like mushrooms. Artists thought Drenthe was fantastic. They drew and painted freely: farms, cows and herds of sheep formed the backdrop.

Most artists visiting Drenthe came from the Hague School. This was an art movement that emerged at the end of the nineteenth century. The artists within this school often chose landscapes as their subject. With their quick brushstrokes and light effects, their paintings are a joy to look at.

A selection from this Hague School now hangs in the print room. Six recent acquisitions are on display there. For years these works hung on the walls of private individuals, but now they are kept under the best possible conditions by the Drents Museum. In this way the paintings will last for years to come!

The Painters of Drenthe collection of the Drents Museum has already grown into a collection of hundreds of paintings and drawings. New works are added every year. The Drents Museum is therefore pleased to share a small part of this collection with you