14 February to 16 May 2010
From 14 February 2010, the Jewish Historical Museum will examine
the lives and collections of three Jewish patrons of the arts
between 1885 and 1940: Andries van Wezel, Willem Wolff Beffie, and
Salomon Slijper. With great foresight, they collected the work of
artists who were then unknown but later became world-famous:
Mondrian, Chagall, Breitner, Isaac Israels, and many others. For
the first time ever, the exhibition Daring Patronage: From
Chagall to Mondrian will present a reconstruction of their
surprising collections.
In a time when most collectors played it safe and invested in
artists with established reputations, Van Wezel
(1856-1921), Beffie (1880-1950), and
Slijper (1884-1971) had the guts and the vision to
offer their support to relative unknowns. The three men were more
than just art lovers; they befriended and encouraged many artists
and provided some with vital financial support, often by purchasing
their work.
For instance, Van Wezel-whose primary interest was in Amsterdam
Impressionists such as Breitner and Isaac Israels-was a true
benefactor to Eduard Karsen and Willem Witsen. The diamond dealer
Beffie, who assembled a world-class collection that included work
by Chagall, Kandinsky, Jawlensky, Klee, Gestel en Sluijters, made
it possible for the French artist Le Fauconnier to continue working
in the Netherlands during the First World War. And Slijper
supported his good friend Mondrian by purchasing his work from the
very start of his career.
Van Wezel made certain that his collection would remain intact by
leaving it to the Rijksmuseum. Slijper's large collection also
remained in the Netherlands, after he bequeathed it to the
Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. Beffie's collection, however, was
dispersed. Documents in private hands provided the information
necessary to reconstruct his collection and trace these major works
to prominent museums around the world, which generously made them
available for this exhibition.
In preparation for this event, a team of experts is investigating
the role of art in Amsterdam's wealthy Jewish middle-class between
1885 and 1940. The results of this study (the first of its kind)
will be presented in a lavishly illustrated catalogue. Along with
this catalogue, an introductory film will help to bring this
many-faceted exhibition to life.
For information and/or images, please contact:
Marketing and Communication Department
T +31 (0)20 5 310 370
E Communication Department