A
MASK
THROUGH
TIME
JOSEPH PAELINCK JAN BAPTIST VAN DER HULST LOUIS AUMONT NICOLAAS PIENEMAN SIR ANTHONY VAN DYCK THERESE SCHWARTZE WILLIAM POWELL FRITH WIM VAN DE PLAS JULIA FISHER BRENDA GOODMAN FRANNE VOIGT
A MASK THROUGH TIME
January 25 to February 29, 2015 Curated by Betty Pastrana
HARRIS CAVALLIN GALLERIES 521 W 26th Street 7th Floor New York, NY 10001
Foreword A Mask through Time traces back the origin of a very particular and unique mask. Dating back to the 1800’s, the mask is worn on portraits of Dutch royalty. Every few years it is once again seen on other portraits, as it is passed down through generations of the royal family. Children first in line for the throne were also given the honor of being wearers. As we trace it to more recent times, it is worn and replicated in royal events by the most powerful royalty. Finally in present time, the current Dutch royalty is following on the great tradition of their ancestors.
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A Mask Through Time Masks are objects that cover the face for variety of reasons. They are used for protection, disguise, entertainment or ritual practices and are made from various materials, depending of use. Earliest use of masks was for rituals and ceremonies, and the oldest found mask is from 7000 BC. They are generally similar in their overall appearance, but very different in style and way they are made and used. Many of the masks and characters used in European festivals belong to the contrasting categories of the ‘good’, or ‘idealized beauty’, set against the ‘ugly’ or ‘beastly’ and grotesque. This is particularly true of the Germanic and Central European festivals. Another common type is the Fool, sometimes considered to be the synthesis of the two contrasting type of handsome and Ugly.
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The oldest representations of masks are animal masks, such as the cave paintings of Lascaux in the Dordogne in southern France. Such masks survive in the alpine regions of Austria and Switzerland, and may be connected with hunting or shamanism, and tend to be particularly associated with the New Year and Carnival festivals. This particular mask presented in the exhibition is of Dutch origin. Its history can be traced back during the Renaissance, a period of curiosity within mysticism piqued the interest of family members within Dutch Royalty. Lavishness, transience of power, and wealth were coveted by the Royals, and expressed in every piece of property they owned. The objects they owned defined a portion of their story, a trait or personality, which would often become symbolic. The mask is passed down through generations of Dutch royalty. Usually the royal member with greatest power is the wearer of the artifact, and gender or age is not an issue.
Betty Pastrana
Through this collection we trace back the appearance of the mask through various royal portraits dating back to the 1800’s and ending at present time. The most famous wearer of the crown is Queen Wilhelmina, who was always photographed and painted wearing the mask. Wilhelmina (Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria; 31 August 1880 – 28 November 1962) was Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. She reigned for nearly 58 years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World War I and World War II, the economic crisis of 1933, and the decline of the Netherlands as a major colonial power. Outside the Netherlands she is primarily remembered for her role in World War II, in which she proved to be a great inspiration to the Dutch resistance.
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There are different sides to the mask. Old folklore stated that the mask had mystical qualities depending on what expression was worn. Anger, Horror, and Happiness are the expressions shown. The fourth side is the crown side, giving the wearer the utmost power. The mask is not only present in paintings and photographs, but also in currency. Its iconic nature transcends through various means.
Catalouge
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Joseph Paelinck Portrait of William I, 1819 Graphite 30� x 24�
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This portrait of William has him in the gala uniform of a general. Over his right shoulder the sash of the Military William Order. Over his uniform he is seen wearing a robe lined with ermine.
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Jan Baptist van der Hulst King Willem II, Queen Anna Paulowna, and children, 1832 Pencil and Watercolor on Paper 30� x 47�
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This painting depicts nature. King Willem and Queen Anna Paulowna with thier children in fornt of their villa. An interisting element to note are the regal garments of both the Queen and her child, Willem III. At this stage, the mask defines a jolly and innocent
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Louis Aumont Portrait of Christian VIII, 1831 Christian VIII was the popular in Copenhagen. Oil on Canvas King of Denmark from 24� x 31� 1839 to 1848 and, as Christian Frederick, King of Norway in 1814. Christian inherited the talents of his highly gifted mother, and his amiability and handsome features are said to have made him very
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Nicolaas Pieneman Portrait of William III, 1856 Oil on Canvas 36� x 24�
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King of the Netherlands. Standing, full-length cloak, in uniform with ermine. The right hand on his side, the left hand on the sword. To the left lying on a cushion on a table - crown and scepter.
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Sir Anthony Van Dyck Charles I, 1635 Oil on Canvas 52� x 44�
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Charles I was monarch with garments fitting the of the three kingdoms of culture of each kingdom. England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. The painting expresses this transience of power and wealth by presenting Charles in three distinct poses, and
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Therèse Schwartze Portrait of the Royal family in historical dress, 1915 Pencil and Watercolor on Paper 32” x 30”
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The painting contains furniture, objects and other sets of imagery with which various Orange generations surrounded themselves. Defining not only the weath of the royal family, but also the object history of all the elements within the painting.
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Nicolaas Pieneman Portrait of William II of the Netherlands, 1849 Oil on Canvas 36� x 24�
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William II was the son of William I and Wilhelmine of Prussia. When his father proclaimed himself king in 1815, he became Prince of Orange and heir apparent of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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William Powell Frith A Private View at the Royal Academy, 1883 Oil on Canvas 23� x 44�
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It depicts a group of distin- The room is Gallery III, the guished Victorians visiting largest and most imposing the Royal Academy Sum- room at Burlington House. mer Exhibition in 1881, just after the death of the Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, whose portrait by John Everett Millais was included on a screen at the special request of Queen Victoria.
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Therèse Schwartze Portrait of Queen Wilhelmina, 1898 Oil on Canvas 36” x 24”
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Wilhelmina was Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. She reigned for nearly 58 years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World War I and World War II, the economic crisis of 1933, and the decline of the Netherlands as
a major colonial power. Outside the Netherlands she is primarily remembered for her role in World War II, in which she proved to be a great inspiration to the Dutch resistance.
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Wim van de Plas Portrait of Queen Juliana, 1962 Pencil and Watercolor on Paper 36� x 24�
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Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina was Queen of the Netherlands from 1948 until 1980. She reigned for nearly 32 years. Her reign saw the decolonization of both Indonesia and Suriname from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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Photography
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Julia Fisher
Royal Portrait of Queen Wilhelmina, 1925
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Brenda Goodman
Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik, 1995
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Franne Voigt
Royal Portrait of Princess Mary, 2015
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Franne Voigt
Official portrait of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, 2015
This catalogue has been published on the occasion of the exhibition “A Mask Through Time,” organized by Harris Cavallin Galleries, New York, and presented from January 25 to February 29, 2015. ISBN:0891099024092 Publication copyright © 2015 Harris Cavallin Galleries Essay © Betty Pastrana All rights reserved Harris Cavallin Galleries 521 West 26th Street 7th Floor New York, NY 10001 Tel 212 628 4000 Fax 212 570 5786 www.harriscavallin.com Reproduction of contents prohibited Catalogue production: Mike Sullivan Design: Rosalind Franklin, New York Printing: Puritan Capital, Harris, N.H. PHOTOGRAPH AND REPRODUCTION CREDITS: Courtesy of © Rijksmuseum; © The Hague; © Royal Gallery.
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