Sailing Under Full Canvas
dal 2/6/2010 al 11/9/2010
Segnalato da
2/6/2010
Sailing Under Full Canvas
Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg
This exhibition on marine painting from the Golden Age of Dutch culture in the 17th century centres on spectacular works by the main representatives of the genre - Ludolf Backhuysen, Jan Porcellis, Willem van de Velde (the Elder and the Younger) and Simon de Vliegher. The display also includes paintings and drawings by all the leading marine painters of the time.
Curator of the exhibition Prof. Dr. Martina Sitt
This exhibition on marine painting from the Golden Age of Dutch culture in the 17th century centres on
spectacular works by the main representatives of the genre – Ludolf Backhuysen, Jan Porcellis, Willem
van de Velde (the Elder and the Younger) and Simon de Vliegher. In addition to these impressive large-
scale seascapes, the display includes paintings and drawings by all the leading marine painters of the
time. To this day, these images evoke a sense of freedom, independence and adventure, but also a
mood of contemplation and tranquillity. As the economic and political fate of the Dutch people in the
Golden Age was closely tied to the sea, the main subject of these artworks are ships with billowing sails
that are visible from afar, but painstakingly detailed paintings of calmer waters also feature.
Besides demonstrating the virtuosity of their creators, these paintings frequently appear to document
specific historical, topographical or meteorological events. The impression of maritime life and seafaring
that is deliberately conveyed in such works never actually existed in this form, however, which opens up
a wide range of possible readings with regard to different spheres of knowledge at that time. On the
one hand, the artworks on show in the exhibition reveal the powerful influence and wealth of the Dutch
navy in the 17th century; on the other, they invite us to consider more complex interpretations: the ship
as a metaphor for life, a symbol of nationhood and the exploration of distant lands, as well as a
demonstration of proud foreign policy and shrewd trade policy. At the same time, however, the exhibition
draws our attention to the painterly qualities of each respective artwork.
Sailing Under Full Canvas brings together around 80 masterpieces drawn from international collections
and the holdings of the Hamburger Kunsthalle. The exhibition has been organised in cooperation with
the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich/London, which has generously contributed a number of
major works.
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue, published by Hirmer Verlag.
Supported by Ece and Unilever
Communication Hamburger Kunsthalle
Mira Forte Tel. +49 (0)40 428131204 Fax +49 (0)40 428542978 E-Mail presse@hamburger-kunsthalle.de
Press conference: Thursday, 3 June 2010, 11 a.m.
Opening: Thursday, 3 June 2010, 7 p.m.
Hamburger Kunsthalle
Hubertus-Wald-Forum
Glockengießerwall D-20095 Hamburg
Opening hours
Tuesdays to Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mondays closed
Admission
Children and teenager under 18 years free entrance
Collections and Exhibitions
Adults € 8,50
Concessions € 5, for eligibility see notice at box office
Family Day Ticket € 14
Golden Friday € 8,50, For senior citizens with senior's pass, includes coffee and cake