The Network of Sientje Mesdag-van Houten. Female Artists

With their interest in art by female artists, the Mesdags were far ahead of their time. Particularly Sientje played a significant role in supporting female artists. This presentation of works from the museum collection introduces her network.

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26 September 2020 – 14 February 2021

Sientje Mesdag-van Houten was a keen supporter of female artists. The wife of marine painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag was herself an artist, taught a number of other female artists, and was on the board of women’s societies.

Sientje and her husband together compiled a large and significant collection of art, which they exhibited at Museum Mesdag (now The Mesdag Collection). Their collection features a relatively large number of works by female artists, who were often acquaintances of the Mesdags. With this interest in female artists, the Mesdags were far ahead of their time.

This presentation focuses on Sientje Mesdag-van Houten’s network, as well as offering you the opportunity to discover works by members of her family who were also artists. Such as Geesje Mesdag-van Calcar, the wife of Hendrik Willem Mesdag’s brother Taco. And Laura Alma Tadema-Epps, the wife of Mesdag’s second cousin Lourens Alma Tadema.

The presentation also includes work by artists from Sientje Mesdag-van Houten’s circles: Maria Bilders-van Bosse, Suze Robertson, Thérèse Schwartze, Margaretha Roosenboom and Gerardina van de Sande Bakhuyzen.

With thanks to