MORE & more. Realism from 1900 to the present

Realism from 1900 to the present

Museum MORE explores realism in Dutch art from the past century to the present day through a fully revamped display of its own collection. The new presentation includes 180 works of art, many of which have not previously been shown at the museum, supplemented by some thirty loans from contemporary artists (view the list).

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In no fewer than six galleries and 180 works of art, the museum challenges traditional notions of the ‘reality’ that artists are able to represent visually. The onus here is very much on the visitor. What precisely is this reality? It suggests an objective fact, something that is ‘true’ for everyone. Yet nothing is further from the truth. I see what you don’t see, and vice versa: everyone perceives – and represents – reality in a different way.

Bobbi Essers This time Im ready to run 2022 collectie kunstenaar fotograaf Sara Roos Klijn — Bobbi Essers, This time I'm ready to run, 2022, collectie kunstenaar, fotograaf Sara Roos Klijn

Esiri Erheriene Essi All Purpose Smile 2017 Collectie Akzonobel Art Foundation — Esiri Erheriene Essi, All Purpose Smile, 2017, Collectie Akzonobel Art Foundation

Margriet van Breevoort Totem for mankind 3 2021 Margriet van Breevoort — Margriet van Breevoort, Totem for mankind #3, 2021, © Margriet van Breevoort

Annemarie Busschers Zelfportret 2008 collectie Museum MORE fotografie Peter Cox — Annemarie Busschers, Zelfportret, 2008, collectie Museum MORE

Axel en Helena van der Kraan Omkijkende man 1978 Collectie Museum MORE langdurig bruikleen Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed foto Peter Cox — Axel en Helena van der Kraan, Omkijkende man, 1978, Collectie Museum MORE (langdurig bruikleen RCE)

Riek Milikowski De Raat Als moeder aarde 2008 collectie Museum MORE — Riek Milikowski-De Raat, Als moeder aarde, 2008, collectie Museum MORE

Robin Speijer Scalene 2021 o d particuliere collectie Robin Speijer versie zonder rand — Robin Speijer, Scalene, 2021, particuliere collectie ©Robin Speijer

Charley Toorop Beemster Bloeiende boom 1943 Collectie Museum MORE Pictoright 2019 — Charley Toorop, Beemster. Bloeiende boom, 1943, Collectie Museum MORE, © Pictoright

Out of the box

Artistic Director Maite van Dijk: ‘Interestingly, some of these artists would not immediately label their own work as ‘realist’ or ‘figurative’. Which immediately raises a question for which there is no clear-cut answer. The intention isn’t to place this art into “old-fashioned” pigeonholes, but to look at it again with wonder and fascination.’

Tobias Schalken, My house is not my home, 2005, Collectie Museum MORE, fotografie Peter Cox

Rineke Dijkstra, Zelfportret, 2001, collectie Museum MORE, fotografie Peter Cox

Surprising angles

The intriguing questions posed by the museum are clustered around a variety of themes. This gives rise to unexpected angles, from ‘Suspense’, to ‘Almost Real?’ and ‘Figurative versus Abstract’. A rich spectrum is presented of paintings, photography, video, sculptures, wall hangings and a digital installation, grouped associatively across decades. What, for instance, do the delicate paintings of Jan Mankes have in common with the filmmaking, a hundred years more recent, of Guido van der Werve? A deep-seated yearning, perhaps, for beauty and comfort. And why do the photographs of Rineke Dijkstra and the work of Marlene Dumas sometimes evoke an indefinable sense of unease? Was it the creator’s intention? Or does it lie mainly in the perception of the viewer?

Artists

From 20th century masters to contemporary talent. Special thanks go to all contemporary artists who have lent their work for this exhibition (see all names in bold).