Discover Benelux | Delft & Dordrecht | Perfect Winter Destinations
The master of light explained TEXT: THESSA LAGEMAN | PHOTOS: VERMEER CENTRUM DELFT
At the Vermeer Centrum Delft you can discover the life, works and hometown of 17th-century painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), the pride of Delft. “We advise you to visit our centre before you see the original paintings,” says marketing manager Ellen Hoogendam. “If you know more about the background, you can really appreciate his work.” The famous painter was head of the painters at the Guild of Saint Luke. It is at this exact historical spot in the town centre that the Vermeer Centrum Delft can be found. It is the only location in the world where you can see all 37 of Vermeer’s paintings together, in the form of digital reproductions. The copies lead you through 17th-century Delft: the thriving scientific and artistic climate, his clients, family and his rich mother-in-law. Only seven of his paintings are in the Netherlands (Amsterdam and The Hague). Many oth-
ers can be found in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. Another floor is dedicated to Vermeer’s working methods. “Here you can learn how the painter, who was called ‘the master of light’, managed to make use of light,” explains Hoogendam. “You can learn what kind of paint he used and how he made the paint.” You can even experiment with the camera obscura, play with colour and perspective, and literally step into one of Vermeer’s paintings and photograph yourself. Both adults and children will enjoy visiting the exhibition. An audio tour is included in the price. “And at the end of your discovery; pass by our shop for a nice gift or drink something at our café, Café Mechelen,” says Hoogendam. “We hope to see you soon.” Vermeer Centrum Delft is located at Voldersgracht 21 Adult entry costs nine euros www.vermeerdelft.nl/en
Sleeping between fine arts TEXT: CATHY VAN KLAVEREN | PHOTOS: APPARTEMENT VEEN
With spectacular views over the river, there is never a dull moment when you are at one of the cosiest apartments in Dordrecht. After enjoying the many activities on offer in the country’s oldest city, guests at Appartement Veen can get lost in the view or relax amid the fine art on display - which is also available to buy. Owner Koos van Veen originally had an art gallery and decided to make a virtue of a necessity when the gallery was not drawing as many sales as it used to. He turned the space above the ground floor into an independent apartment, fully equipped with a big bed, a small kitchen, a large shower and more, to make
people feel as comfortable as possible. It is a ‘BnoB’ (meaning ‘Bed, no Breakfast’), but Van Veen makes sure his guests lack nothing. “Independence is of great importance. Travellers who only visit a city for a short time are more in search of a cosy space, not a hotel room,” Van Veen says. In January, works will begin to turn the gallery into an extra, very large, apartment. But the gallery will not be forgotten. Van Veen will use his art to decorate the new apartment, as he has done with the current one. “Most artists will lend me their works, so I can still have them on display. I already have ideas about how I want it to decorate it. If someone is interested, they can still buy a piece of art, just like they used to.” You can book Appartement Veen and soon BnoB-de-galerie via www.booking.com and Airbnb. www.galerievanveen.nl www.bnob-de-galerie.nl Issue 36 | December 2016 | 39