Kristin Duysters, Curator Palace Het Loo

BIOGRAPHY

Kristin Duysters (1965) studied Art History at Leiden University. She started her career at the Amsterdam Museum and became associated with the Zeeuws Museum in Middelburg. Subsequently, she became curator of applied arts at Museum Arnhem where she curated exhibitions about Yixing and European red stoneware teapots, Arnhem faience and Delftware. Since 2016 she is curator at Paleis Het Loo. In her recent publications she focusses on Delftware and Asian porcelain of William and Mary and royal tableware.

paleishetloo.nl

Q5 QUESTIONS Kristin Duysters

1. What do you admire most about Chinese ceramics?

For me it is the lustre of the material, the colour intensity of the glazes and the way the motifs are ordered on the surface. But also the deeper meaning, stories and symbolism of the designs. This gives Chinese porcelain a deeper layered meaning, which captivates me.

2. How do you feel have Chinese ceramics played a role in the historical development of the interior?

High quality Chinese porcelain was always considered special and precious. This status ensured for example, that in 15th century Iran and Uzbekistan costly Chinese ceramics were placed in niches in special porcelain rooms. So Chinese ceramics have certainly had an impact on the interior. Europe followed in the 17th and 18th centuries, with special porcelain cabinets with Chinese porcelain displayed on wall-brackets. Since then, the decorating of walls, shelves and display cabinets with ceramics has become an indispensable way to embellish an interior and appears to be a recurringly in vogue.

3. In what way does art enrich your own interior?

Most of the art objects in my own interior have been bought during travelling, so remind me of trips or other important occasions in my life. By grouping these together on surfaces, it turns them into small altars, where I can stand still to reenergise or get inspiration from.

THE DEPOT MUSEUM BOIJMANS VAN BEUNINGEN, ROTTERDAM

4. What’s the last artistic or cultural event that really impressed you?

The opening of the Depot Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam. A revolutionary art storage facility nicknamed ‘De Pot’. The general public can view the storage compartments through large windows and enter a storage department accompanied by a guide. The most spectacular experience was taking the lift to the roof terrace. It felt like I was flying through a 3-dimensional staircase by Piranesi or Escher, whilst seeing lovely artworks from variety of angels. The museum also has a great collection of Asian ceramics. > www.boijmans.nl/collectie

ISHTAR GATE, BABYLONIA C. 575 BC PERGAMON MUSEUM BERLIN

5. If money, space or time were no object, which piece of art or antique would you like to have in your own home?

When I was 17, I was awestruck by the Ishtar Gate (Babylon, 6th century), in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Not only the size of the gate, but also the blue glazed bricks and large dragons, lions and bulls took my breath away! Even if money, space or time wasn’t an issue – it would certainly not fit in my house! So I choose another favourite: a beautiful antique stoneware Yixing teapot.