Golden Age Revival: The Royal Academy of Art The Hague

Throughout history, The Netherlands have proven to be an area of inspiring grounds. One may see names as Rembrandt and Vermeer, from the period of the Dutch Golden Age as dominating when discussing the art history. The time was one of innovative developments, interesting movements and economics in the field of art indeed, resulting in an overflow of beautiful works and big names still recognized today.

Of course, before obtaining a position in the canon of Dutch art history, The Golden Age had to come to an end.  However, this does not mean the Dutch have stopped producing artistically altogether. When one knows where to look exactly, one may discover a second Golden Age and the small country in Northern Europe is still actively contributing to the canon of contemporary art history.

One thing reminiscent of the Dutch Golden Age period seems to be the Royal Academy of Art in the city of The Hague. In the 16th century, a mentioning of a Lucas guild of painters be traced. In 1682 the Academy was founded, after a separation of the guild, resulting in the arising of the Pictura Brotherhood. Going by the name of “The Haagsche Teeken-Academie”, or rather “The Hague Drawing Academy”, next to providing an opportunity to advance drawing skills, the institute offered drawing classes during the week, and intellectual debates on the subject of art in the weekends. The institute survived troubled times and financial difficulties and eventually was assigned to a new, neoclassical building (pictured above), after receiving support by William I of the Netherlands.

After this, the Academy thrived like never before and many of the artists who received an education at the Academy in the 19th century are still renowned today.

_{Bosboom, Church Interior of Geertekerk, Utrecht.} 

_{Weissenbrüch, Figures on the Fishmarket of Woudrichem.}

Johannes Bosboom (1817) was a student of the Academy between the years of 1831-1835 and 1839-1840. Jan Hendrik Weissenbrüch (1824), noted especially for his watercolours, was known to take evening classes at the Academy in the year 1843.

Isaac Israëls (1865), studied at the Academy between 1880-1882. Later, he became known for depictions of cityscapes and street life of Paris and Amsterdam. George Hendrik Breitner (1857) too, applied at the Academy in The Hague and was known to be a friend of Israels. Today, both Breitner and Israels can be seen as two of the most important (Amsterdam) Dutch impressionists.

_{Left: Israëls, Feeding the Swans in The Hague Zoo, 1917.} 

 _{Right: Breitner, The Wijnhaven (Wine Harbour) in Dordrecht.}

In 1938, the design for the current academy building at the Prinsessegracht was delivered by J. H. Plantenga, J. W. E. Buijs and J. B. Lürsen. At the time, it was seen as a monument of modernism and an affirmation of a new educational process and as a result of a merge with other great schools as the MTS for Photography and Photonics, the Royal Conservatory and the College of Expressive Arts, Music and Dance, the Academy integrated nearly all forms of artistic expression.

_{The current building of The Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, as established by Plantenga, Buijs and Lürsen in 1938.}

Whereas the focus on the more classical technique behind visual arts during the years of Bosboom, Weissenbruch, Israels and Breitner may seem lost, the attention to technology and new media has already proven its worth in modern times. The schools educational programme is extensive and alumni are frequently awarded with prizes such as the Prix de Rome or the Award of Interior Innovation. 

Although the education the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague has thus changed over the years, it can still be seen as providing very meaningful contributions to the Dutch canon of Art History. We will definitely be keeping an eye on this year’s graduation exhibition!

See for more art of  The Dutch School or The Hague School here at Gallerease.

See for more fine art at Gallerease where you can select your favourite style, period and artist.